San Antonio

Master Plan Policies

Adopted: May 29, 1997

I. INTRODUCTION
A. PURPOSE OF MASTER PLANS
The primary objectives of master plans are to:
♦ Coordinate public and private investment;
♦ Minimize conflict between land uses;
♦ Influence and manage the development of the community;
♦ Increase both the benefits and cost effectiveness of public;
investment;
♦ Predict infrastructure and service needs in advance of
demand;
♦ Ensure that community facilities are located to best serve the
community;
Master plans provide the basis for rational decision-
making, but do not replace the decision-making process,
nor as they take the place of the City’s Unified
Development Code or other ordinances in establishing
regulations. The enactment of the Master Plan Policies
does not constitute a substantive change in existing
ordinances of the City of San Antonio, nor does it
supersede or replace the Unified Development Code or
any regulatory ordinances adopted prior to the adoption of
the Master Plan Policies. In the event of apparent conflict
between the Master Plan Policies and current ordinances
of the City, the current ordinances shall control. In
applying such ordinances, consideration should be given
to the goals and policies of the Master Plan in an attempt
to harmonize the two provisions.
The Master Plan Policies are intended to provide guidance
in the evaluation of future decisions on land use,
infrastructure improvements, transportation, and other
____________________________________________________________________________________________________
San Antonio I. Introduction
issues, and ordinances that are proposed and considered
after the adoption of the Master Plan Policies should be
consistent with the relevant goals and policies contained in
the Plan. If an ordinance instituting or modifying rules or
regulations is being considered which is contrary to the
goals and policies of the plan, either the plan should be
reviewed and amended prior to the adoption of the
ordinance, or it should be clearly stated what
circumstances necessitate that it be in conflict with the
plan.
Community planning is a continuous and dynamic process
that helps the community achieve goals that are important
to its citizens and to the community at large. Over time,
these goals will likely change. Then, the community must
again review where they have been, how they got there,
what has changed since their last planning effort, and
where they want to go next. This is a normal planning
process, and it happens in all communities.
B. ORGANIZATION OF THE MASTER PLAN POLICIES
This plan is organized into five sections: Introduction,
Vision Statement, Goals and Policies, Glossary and Index.
The Introduction includes a discussion of the purpose of
master plans, a short history of planning in San Antonio, a
summary of the process used in developing this plan, a
discussion on implementation measures, and direction in
updating the Master Plan Policies.
The Vision Statement summarizes the overall rationale
which guides the goals and policies found in this Master
Plan.
The Goals and Policies, which are the primary body of the
plan, are divided into six topic areas: Growth Management,
1
 Economic Development, Community Services,
Neighborhoods, Natural Resources, and Urban Design.
Within each of these topic areas is a discussion of the
importance of that topic to the future of San Antonio,
followed by Goals and Polices for each topic.
The Glossary defines some of the terms used in the plan
which are unique to city government and planning in
particular. The Index is a list of key words which assist a
reader in easily finding all policy statements using key
words.
C. BACKGROUND OF PLANNING IN SAN ANTONIO
Although planning looks to the future, it is grounded in the
realities of the present and the lessons of the past. Thus, it
is appropriate to review San Antonio’s planning legacy.
Planning had its inception in San Antonio with the first
Spanish migration into this region at the close of the
Seventeenth Century. A directive known as the Laws of
the Indies was used by the Spanish to control colonization
and development in New Spain. These laws set out a
detailed plan for new cities which prescribed that
development should emanate from a central plaza and
proceed outward in a symmetrical manner. Following the
independence of Mexico from Spain, San Antonio was
controlled by the Laws and Decrees of Coahuila and
Texas, which regulated town planning in the territory and
were similar to the Laws of the Indies.
Shortly after the birth of the Republic in 1836, the Texas
Congress initiated legislation allowing San Antonio to
incorporate and receive a state charter. This gave the City
greater control over its developmental destiny, but it was
____________________________________________________________________________________________________
San Antonio I. Introduction
not until the early part of the Twentieth Century that
master planning was given official governmental sanction.
Work on San Antonio’s first master plan began in 1929,
when City Commissioners contracted with Harland
Bartholomew and Associates of St. Louis, Missouri, for
development of a master plan. Delayed by the Depression,
the Plan was approved in 1933 after nearly four years of
work. The 1933 Master Plan advocated major proposals in
six areas: streets; transportation; transit; parks and
recreation; zoning; and civic art. In the plan, Bartholomew
and Associates proposed rules for the subdivision of land,
the tabulation of major street widths, and a zoning
ordinance. Rehabilitation of the San Antonio River was one
of the Plan’s major goals. Inadequate enabling legislation,
the Depression and the absence of a planning commission
adversely affected the implementation of the 1933 Plan.
Perhaps the most significant outcome of the Plan was the
enactment of a zoning ordinance in 1938 and the
subsequent appointment of a Zoning Commission.
The availability of federal urban renewal grants prompted a
new planning initiative in 1951. In an effort to be eligible for
these grants, the City contracted with local consultant
Walter H. Lilly to develop a comprehensive City master
plan. The Plan, adopted in 1951, included sections on
streets, transportation, utilities, flood control and drainage,
recreation and parks, schools, slum clearance and urban
redevelopment, civic improvement, conservation, civil
defense, and capital improvements. Subdivision
regulations and an improved zoning ordinance were also
addressed. The Plan recognized the need for future
auxiliary surface water resources and protection of the
existing underground water supply; however, it did not
foresee that growth would accelerate along the City’s
northern fringe with a correspondent inner city decline. The
2
 1951 Plan achieved its primary purpose, that of fulfilling forwarded them to the City Council. On May 29, 1997, the
requirements for a receipt of federal urban renewal funds. City Council approved the Master Plan Policies.
Not intended as a land use management or fiscal planning
tool, the Plan provided only limited direction in these These Master Plan Policies complete the City’s Master
areas. Plan and replace the Foreword and the Basic Plan
elements of the Master Plan adopted by the City Council
As San Antonio grew in the Sixties and Seventies, the City on August 28, 1980. Previously approved component
was faced with new issues such as non-conforming land plans will remain in effect until they are specifically
uses, urban blight, and the protection of the community’s replaced or revised.
water supply. As a result of these concerns, a series of
background documents was published outlining growth
alternatives for the City in the Seventies. These
documents resulted in the drafting of a new master plan in
1979 which was returned by the City Council to the
Planning Commission with instructions that it be revised
and resubmitted. In August, 1980, the Foreword to the San
Antonio Master Plan and the Basic Plan segment of the
Plan were adopted.

D. MASTER PLAN DEVELOPMENT PROCESS

In 1991, the Planning Commission appointed an Ad Hoc

Master Plan Advisory Committee to develop a new Master
Plan for the City of San Antonio. The Committee was
made up of a broad range of individuals representing the
many and varied interests in the City. Figure 1

The Master Plan Advisory Committee developed Master

Plan Goals and Objectives which were adopted by the City
Council in December, 1993, in resolution number 93-51-
77. Following the adoption of the Goals and Objectives,
the Master Plan Advisory Committee continued to meet to
develop specific policies to achieve these goals. After
holding four public meetings and one public hearing on
the Master Plan Policies, the Planning Commission
approved the Master Plan Policies on May 14, 1997, and
E. PLAN IMPLEMENTATION
Tracking the City’s progress toward reaching the Master
Plan’s goals and implementing its policies is critical to the
success of the plan. To facilitate this process, a Master
Plan Policies Advisory Committee (MPPAC) shall be

____________________________________________________________________________________________________
San Antonio I. Introduction 3
formed in 1997 within 90 days of adoption by the City
Council. The MPPAC shall be representative of the
diverse interests of various groups such as neighborhood,
business, real estate/industry organizations, and the
community at large. The committee shall be appointed by
the Planning Commission, shall serve two year staggered
terms, and shall consist of no more than 15 members, with
the Chair of the Planning Commission also serving as one
of the committee members.
The purpose of the MPPAC shall be to make
recommendations regarding prioritization in the
implementation of the Master Plan Policies. The
committee shall review the funding and staffing required to
carry out policies recommended for implementation. The
MPPAC shall make its recommendations to the Planning
Commission for review and consideration prior to being
forwarded to the City Council through the City Manager.
To facilitate this process, City staff shall provide strategies,
responsibilities, proposed timing, budget implications,
cost/benefit analysis, and progress-to-date.
City Council. Specific standards and requirements
generated from implementation of Master Plan Policies
shall be effective only after an ordinance specifying the
regulations, penalties and incentives relating to the policy
has been passed by the City Council.
F. REVIEW OF THE MASTER PLAN POLICIES
The Planning Commission should perform an annual
comprehensive review of the Master Plan Policies and
forward the Commission’s recommendations for
amendments to the Plan to the City Council. In addition,
the Planning Commission should prepare an annual report
on development and planning activities. The report should
indicate changes in current trends and applicable laws and
regulations, include recommendations for changes to the
Master Plan’s implementation mechanisms, and assess
the City’s progress toward achieving the Plan’s goals and
policies.

This process should result in a recommended annual

Master Plan Policies Implementation Program for the
following year and should occur so that it can be included
as part of the annual budget process for funding
“We shape our cities, thereafter they shape us.”
consideration. The City Manager shall assess the funding
—ANONYMOUS
and staffing required to effectively and meaningfully
administer the policies and shall make appropriate
recommendations to the City Council. The City Council
shall make the final decisions and budget allocations
regarding the next year’s Implementation Program.

The Implementation Program shall be maintained

separately from the Master Plan Policies, shall be updated
annually, and approved by the Planning Commission and

____________________________________________________________________________________________________
San Antonio I. Introduction 4
 organizations throughout the City, the Master Plan
II. VISION STATEMENT Advisory Committee members, Planning Commission
members, and City of San Antonio staff.
The Master Plan of the City of San Antonio will provide a
functional framework to guide in the development and These goals and policies are dynamic, and it is important
implementation of policies that promote: that citizens and organizations continue to share their
concerns regarding San Antonio’s future.
♦ Equal opportunity to all San Antonio citizens and equity in the
distribution of benefits.
♦ Safe, dynamic and sustainable neighborhoods which offer
employment opportunities, high quality education, adequate
and affordable shelter, health care, and recreational
amenities.
♦ A vibrant economic climate which will attract and support a
wide diversity of business opportunities and community
services to provide benefits within the metropolitan area.
♦ Balanced and responsible urban design, planning and
development, and responsible protection of the City’s
historical, cultural, and natural resources.
♦ An open, accessible, responsive, and fiscally responsible
government whose structure creates the functional
framework to reach the Master Plan goals.
♦ The best city in America for children.

Realizing this vision for San Antonio requires clear,

attainable goals which address central issues facing San
Antonio. Policies for achieving the goals must direct the Figure 2
City’s planning and implementation strategies. The
challenge is to create goals and policies by which the City
can measure its progress in fulfilling this vision for the
future of San Antonio.

The goals and policies in the Master Plan have been “If you don’t know where you are going,
developed from the input of concerned citizens and you could wind up someplace else.”
! Yogi Berra

______________________________________________________________________________________________________
San Antonio II. Vision 5
 Growth Management Goals
III. GOALS AND POLICIES
Goal 1 Utilize City resources and authority to manage
A. GROWTH MANAGEMENT growth and development.
Goal 2 Develop a process for responding to projected
Social and economic progress depends on dynamic urban change.
development and sound growth management. If the vision, Goal 3 Develop policies to minimize the negative
challenge and elements of the Master Plan are used impact and maximize the benefit from
effectively to guide future growth and development, the development located outside and adjacent to
standard of living and quality of life for all the citizens of San Antonio’s City Limits.
San Antonio will be enhanced.

The general welfare of the community is affected by the

way in which it grows. The expenditure of public funds can
affect growth patterns. Capital demands for the
maintenance of existing infrastructure must be balanced
with the need to extend infrastructure to newly developing
areas.

Economic determinants, which are largely within the

purview of the private sector also play an important part in
growth patterns. As an economic generator, metropolitan
San Antonio attracts growth. This growth will enhance the
City’s tax base as long as it occurs within the City and in a
coordinated and unified manner.

Effective growth management includes balanced

consideration of all these determinants to ensure healthy
growth and the enhancement of the tax base for the
benefit of all citizens. The following goals and policies are
Figure 3
designed to guide San Antonio towards effective growth
management.

San Antonio II. GROWTH MANAGEMENT 6

Goal 1 Utilize City resources and authority to manage
growth and development.
Policy 1a: Conduct a thorough review of City codes, including
the Master Plan, its component parts, and the Unified
Development Code, and revise all ineffective,
obsolete, or inconsistent requirements and
definitions.
1. Initiate a review of the Master Plan and Unified
Development Code by the Planning Commission at
least once every seven years.
2. Include public participation in the land use regulation
review process.
3. Coordinate development codes and standards
between City departments and public utilities to
promote consistency.
Policy 1b: Distribute land uses to meet the physical, social,
cultural, economic, and energy needs of present and
future populations.
1. Ensure that proposed land uses and development are
compatible in their use, character and size to the site
and the surrounding areas.
2. Develop ordinance revisions and development
proposals which conserve energy and water, enhance
the attractiveness of the area, and protect valuable
natural and cultural resources.
3. Encourage public participation in the land use
decision-making process.
4. Develop economic incentives to encourage growth in
target areas.
5. Create a land exchange mechanism to acquire land
for public purposes.
San Antonio II. GROWTH MANAGEMENT
Figure 4
Policy 1c: Utilize all available geographic, hydrologic,
topographic, demographic and economic data
throughout the City and within the extraterritorial
jurisdiction in planning for land uses.
1. Accelerate the shared acquisition of high quality data
in exchange-compatible formats for the development
and enhanced utility of a GIS for the San Antonio area
which is accessible to public agencies and private
citizens.
Policy 1d: Develop, implement and annually update a
comprehensive five-year Capital Improvements Plan
which sets priorities for specific projects.
1. Develop a fair and accessible capital improvements
planning process.
2. Use the input of neighborhood associations, boards
and interested citizens in the capital improvements
process.
Policy 1e: Coordinate the Capital Improvements Plan with all
other City plans and those of other governmental
units (county, school districts, hospital district,
and university.)
7
 1. Make all capital improvement projects information
available in a central clearing house.
2. Develop and distribute a unified indexed and cross-
referenced manual of the Master Plan and Unified
Development Code to all City departments,
commissions and committees to be used so that
capital improvement projects comply with the intent of
the Master Plan and City Codes.
3. Coordinate capital improvements, public works
projects, and all utility projects to ensure simultaneous
construction and completion of all proposed work.
4. Seek input from all appropriate public entities and
utilities prior to preparing any bid or contract
documents for proposed capital improvement
preliminary designs.
Policy 1f: Encourage a balance of new development and
redevelopment.
1. Provide incentives for redevelopment of target areas.
Such incentives, tied to specific project plans, may
include tax incentives, utility extensions, and other
similar tools.
Policy 1g: Continue to make physical improvements in the inner
city to encourage redevelopment and infill
development.
1. Build or rebuild adequate infrastructure before new
development occurs.
San Antonio II. GROWTH MANAGEMENT
Goal 2 Develop a process for responding to projected
change.
Policy 2a: Integrate neighborhood planning into broader urban
design and growth management plans of the City.
Consider recognized Neighborhood Plans and
neighborhood planning efforts when the Master Plan
and component plans are being developed or revised.
Policy 2b: Develop and continually update an accurate,
complete central database which consolidates
demographic information and the full array of geo-
referenced information, such as infrastructure,
natural resources, and real estate, and make it
accessible to all planning entities, including
neighborhoods.
Policy 2c: Strengthen links between zoning and the goals of the
community by promoting neighborhood involvement.
1. Encourage neighborhood associations and interested
citizens to review land use issues involving their
community.
2. Encourage neighborhood representatives and
interested citizens to participate in the planning
process so their input will be considered by appointed
and elected officials during the public hearing
process.
8

Figure 5
Goal 3 Develop policies to minimize the negative
impact and maximize the benefit from
development located outside and adjacent to
San Antonio’s city limits.
Policy 3a: Pursue a systematic annexation process to promote
orderly growth and the provision of municipal
services, and to preserve the City’s positive fiscal
position.
1. Develop a proposed three year annexation plan that is
reviewed, updated and adopted annually by the City
Council.
2. Define and publicize the benefits of annexation.
3. Encourage growth to occur inside the city limits;
however, if it is to occur in the extraterritorial
jurisdiction, encourage development to occur in areas
contiguous to the city limits.
4. Involve both CPS and the San Antonio Water System
in the development of the City’s growth and
annexation policies.
5. Provide an adequate level of municipal services to
keep up with population growth and annexation.
Policy 3b: Oppose the creation of new municipalities, special
purpose districts and water or wastewater utilities
San Antonio II. GROWTH MANAGEMENT
within the extraterritorial jurisdiction except where
the City cannot provide the necessary services.
Policy 3c: Require a petition for annexation as a condition for
designation of industrial districts and consider
annexing industrial districts upon expiration of their
designation.
Policy 3d: Use development policies such as utility extension
policies and impact fees to encourage contiguous
growth.
1. Require public utilities to publish extension policies for
single and multi-family residential, commercial, and
industrial uses.
Policy 3e: Seek and support new statutory authority to guide
development activities in the City’s extraterritorial
jurisdiction.
1. Support statutory authority which permits
municipalities to guide development activity such as
zoning and building codes in the City’s extraterritorial
jurisdiction.
2. Consider the feasibility of governmental consolidation.
“Most economic success is luck, but we need to plan to be lucky.”
! George Geis
9
B. ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT Goal 3 Create an environment of entrepreneurship,
productivity, and innovation in San Antonio that
promotes business start-up and business
The economic development vision for San Antonio is that
growth.
San Antonio will remain as the economic center for the
Goal 4 Provide economic opportunities in targeted
South Texas Region, as well as a major center for
areas, particularly within Loop 410 and the
international trade and commerce. Focused economic `
southern sector.
development efforts can lead to a strong and diversified
Goal 5 Provide a labor force qualified to meet the needs
economy, resulting in quality jobs, viable and safe
neighborhoods, well-planned communities, a sustainable of San Antonio’s employers.
natural resource base, adequate infrastructure, ample
entrepreneurial opportunities, sufficient capital, a nurtured
cultural heritage, a well-educated and highly trained labor
force and an expanded tax base.

The City of San Antonio’s Economic Development

Department administers the City’s economic development
program which is detailed in the City of San Antonio’s
Strategic Initiatives for Economic Development. In
addition, the San Antonio Coordinating Council for
Economic Development (SACCED) serves as a forum to
coordinate and exchange information between economic
development organizations such as the City’s Economic
Development Department, the Economic Development Figure 6
Foundation, the Greater Kelly Development Corporation,
the chambers of commerce, the Free Trade Alliance, and Goal 1 Encourage economic diversity and jobs creation
other economic development organizations. which are compatible with San Antonio’s natural
and cultural resources.
Economic Development Goals
Policy 1a: Evaluate and update the existing City of San
Goal 1 Encourage economic diversity and jobs creation Antonio’s Strategic Initiatives for Economic
which are compatible with San Antonio’s natural Development by assessing the current status of
and cultural resources. economic development in San Antonio and the City’s
Goal 2 Promote a business-government relationship ability to meet projected land, labor, and capital
demands at all levels of the economy—
that addresses the needs of businesses to
operate in a positive and mutually beneficial neighborhood, community, city, state, national, and
environment. international.

San Antonio III. ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT 10

 1. Include in the Strategic Initiatives for Economic
Development, an inventory of target private and public
industries which actually or potentially impact the
economic health of San Antonio and the central
Texas region.
2. Collect and analyze local industries’ importing
practices to determine what of those goods can be
manufactured in San Antonio, and recruit those
industries which are exporting products to start up or
relocate in San Antonio.
3. Evaluate the strategies to determine local industries’
impact on natural, cultural and historic resources,
infrastructure, transportation, neighborhoods, and
community services.
Policy 1b: Recognize the San Antonio Coordinating Council for
Economic Development (SACCED) as the forum to
coordinate and exchange information regarding
economic development activities, and work with the
Coordinating Council to accomplish the following:
1. Restructure the SACCED to include representatives
of the business community and neighborhoods.
2. Encourage the SACCED to annually review the
Strategic Initiatives for Economic Development, and
submit a status report to the City Council with any
recommendations for revisions.
3. Encourage the SACCED and its members to improve
data collection and analysis on labor, education and
capital demands.
San Antonio III. ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
Figure 7
Policy 1c: Expand San Antonio’s industrial base by taking
advantage of market opportunities in regional,
national, and international markets.
1. Evaluate industries in terms of their economic
stability, operational needs and growth potential,
target markets, and examine ways San Antonio can
provide adequate infrastructure and support services
for those markets.
2. Work towards establishing San Antonio as a major
hub for distribution and light manufacturing.
3. Regional: Develop potential business and market
opportunities in South Texas. Continue to protect and
increase military contracting by San Antonio
businesses and protect and enhance military and
civilian employment at military bases. Promote San
Antonio’s health care industry as a regional and
national leader through marketing of its excellent
health care facilities and world class physicians.
4. National and International: Promote the tourist and
convention industries to national and international
visitors. Facilitate the development of export
industries by encouraging the use of local and
regional artistic, heritage and entertainment
resources through international tours as a means to
increase and diversify San Antonio export industries
and economy. Work towards establishing
11
 San Antonio as the dominant link between the United
States and Mexico; and continue to support the expansion
of free trade with other countries.
Policy 1d: Prioritize and target those economic sectors in which
San Antonio can create or sustain a competitive
advantage for economic growth and jobs creation.
1. Facilitate the development and expansion of targeted
industries including: manufacturing and assembly;
research; high technology; aviation and regional
distribution.
2. Facilitate and promote development of San Antonio’s
visitor industry. Fully utilize existing community assets
to maximize San Antonio’s visitor industry.
Figure 8
Policy 1e: Support and encourage efforts to diversify the
economic base of San Antonio.
1. Adopt and implement the diversification goals in the
City of San Antonio’s Strategic Initiatives for
Economic Development.
San Antonio III. ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
2. Encourage the design of an educational system that
will meet the needs of a diversified economy.
3. Work with the San Antonio Economic Development
Foundation to recruit businesses outside of San
Antonio.
4. Encourage the expansion of the marketplace for
design and applied arts and support programs which
develop creative skills and talents.
5. Support efforts to plan, coordinate and monitor the
redevelopment of military installations and other
defense related issues.
Goal 2 Promote a business-government relationship
that addresses the needs of businesses to
operate in a positive and mutually beneficial
environment.
Policy 2a: Develop new and existing partnership programs
which promote cooperation among public agencies,
industry, and the community to enhance economic
growth throughout the City.
1. Continue the City’s existing partnership with the
University of Texas at San Antonio - Small Business
Development Center and the Small Business
Administration to provide services through the
Business Assistance Focus Center.
Policy 2b: Promote consistency in the development process.
1. Provide information on and streamline the business
and real estate development process.
2. Periodically review and revise the City’s policies,
procedures, and permitting processes so that
applicants are treated equitably and efficiently.
12
Policy 2c: Increase public awareness of available economic
development incentives.
1. Provide information and briefings on economic
development incentives to business groups,
community groups, neighborhood groups, and other
interested parties.
Policy 2d: Analyze pertinent new ordinances to evaluate their
cost impact on business from a competitive
economic perspective and balance that assessment
with the impact on the quality of life.
Policy 2e: Facilitate communication between businesses,
neighborhoods, development interests,
neighborhood associations and advisory boards,
community-based groups and other interested parties
with respect to economic development or re-
development.
Policy 2f: Provide and maintain infrastructure and
transportation services so that economic activity can
operate efficiently throughout the City.
1. Place a high priority on funding for infrastructure and
transportation improvements and pursue alternative
methods of funding improvements.
Figure 9
San Antonio
2. Encourage the San Antonio Coordinating Council for
Economic Development to design a process to
evaluate infrastructure needs in targeted economic
areas and to recommend improvements to support
market opportunities.
Goal 3 Create an environment of entrepreneurship,
productivity, and innovation in San Antonio that
promotes business start-up and business
growth.
Policy 3a: Develop a business retention and expansion
program.
Policy 3b: Provide community-based educational support for
potential entrepreneurs to develop or refine
accounting, cost analysis, marketing and other
essential business skills.
1. Promote development of a comprehensive program
which helps firms in market identification,
management training, technical assistance, and
improved capital access.
2. Facilitate the development of business incubator
facilities.
Policy 3c: Develop financial assistance and specialized training
programs to encourage the development of small
businesses, minority and women-owned businesses
and disadvantaged business enterprises.
1. Support legislation which creates State financial
assistance to encourage business development for
small, minority, women-owned and disadvantaged
business enterprises.
III. ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT 13
 2. Facilitate risk reduction mechanisms to provide
greater capital availability to small businesses,
minority and women-owned businesses, and
disadvantaged business enterprises.
3. Work with the San Antonio Business Development
Fund to identify local and special business funding
needs. Work with the San Antonio Local Development
Company to encourage funding of economically
viable businesses and disadvantaged business
enterprises.
4. Develop a mechanism for understanding small
businesses’ skill needs.
Policy 3d: Encourage financial institutions to be responsive to
the needs of minority and women-owned businesses
and disadvantaged business enterprises.
Policy 3e: Facilitate economic development activities that will:
strengthen neighborhoods and communities; provide
educational, training and employment opportunities;
provide necessary support services; and promote
and encourage economic participation for all San
Antonio citizens.
1. Provide to neighborhood residents information on,
and assistance in, completing community
development corporation applications to encourage
revitalization and create job opportunities.
2. Assist neighborhoods to obtain federal planning
grants to stimulate business growth and job creation
in neighborhood commercial areas.
Policy 3f: Develop public and private initiatives to provide the
funding and capital resources needed to finance
small business and economic growth.
San Antonio III. ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
1. Pursue Federal, State and private funds to increase
availability of funds for business and economic
development.
2. Provide information concerning any and all funds
available for all business enterprises through the
Business Assistance Focus Center.
Figure 10
Goal 4 Provide economic opportunities in targeted
areas, particularly within Loop 410 and the
southern sector.
Policy 4a: Increase coordination and visibility of current
economic development efforts in targeted areas.
1. Develop a marketing plan to increase the visibility of
economic development and its impact on the City.
2. Develop specific policies regarding targeted areas in
a business retention and expansion program.
3. Work with appropriate groups to promote economic
development in targeted areas.
4. Work with chambers of commerce and other
community groups to disseminate information on the
impact of economic development in targeted areas.
5. Develop joint projects and programs that provide
spin-off benefits in targeted areas.
14
Policy 4b: Work with affected parties to enhance and emphasize
the positive assets of targeted areas in efforts to
retain and attract new business and industry.
1. Develop and evaluate infrastructure plans for targeted
areas. Develop and implement neighborhood plans
that include efforts to promote economic development
in targeted areas.

Policy 4c: Promote a positive economic climate and business

support system to encourage the attraction and
location of targeted industries in targeted areas.
1. Work with the chambers of commerce to assess the
industrial base of the targeted areas.
2. Market, in cooperation with the San Antonio
Economic Development Foundation, the targeted
areas to prospective businesses.
Policy 4d: Pursue and implement Federal and State Economic
Development Programs.
1. Continue to identify state enterprise zones. Administer
and assess the expansion of the San Antonio
Enterprise Zone Program.
2. Administer the Federal Enterprise Community
designation, or other similar programs and pursue
future opportunities under comparable activities.
3. Identify specific needs and solutions in each federal
and state enterprise zone and implement to the fullest
extent practicable those activities which will make a
significant economic impact.
Figure 11
Policy 4e: Develop special economic initiatives which promote
coordination, communication and implementation of
economic development priorities to meet the needs of
the targeted areas.
Goal 5 Provide a labor force qualified to meet the needs
of San Antonio’s employers.
Policy 5a: Advocate and facilitate community dialogue
regarding education goals and objectives for San
Antonio.
1. Aggressively support implementation of national
educational standards adapted to regional needs.
2. Provide an update to the community on the progress
toward achieving local educational goals and
objectives.
3. Develop, through the Alamo Workforce Development
Council, an industry skills council that includes
representatives from the business community, the
City, the educational community and the general
public to effectively communicate current and
projected skill needs.

San Antonio III. ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT 15

Policy 5b: Encourage the development of public and privately
administered training programs.
1. Encourage institutions and businesses to establish
vocational training internship and apprenticeship
programs.
2. Work with the Alamo Workforce Development Council
(AWDC) and UNIFORCE or their successors to
obtain an inventory of vocational training and
internship programs.
2. Promote approval, authorization, and implementation
of these programs, acting in concert with lead higher
education authorities.
3. Support and facilitate the efforts of agencies that
focus on regional workforce development so that the
skill needs of business and industry are adequately
identified.

Policy 5c: Promote the evaluation and update of community

training programs to meet the need for current and
projected skills.
1. Work with the chambers of commerce to identify
higher education needed by San Antonio employers,
now and in the future.

FIGURE 12

San Antonio III. ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT 16


C. COMMUNITY SERVICES
Safe, healthy, and well educated citizens are the basis of a
prosperous and high quality city. Community services and
facilities are vital to the economic prosperity and quality of
life for the citizens of San Antonio. The City must strive to
achieve a balance between centralized and dispersed
service locations to optimize the delivery of community
services.
Figure 13
Community Services Goals
Goal 1 Provide adequate police and fire protection and
emergency medical services.
Goal 2 Promote a comprehensive and coordinated
health care system to effectively serve the
community.
Goal 3 Develop a formalized planning relationship
among school districts, neighborhoods and the
San Antonio III. COMMUNITY SERVICES
City to enhance the efficient and effective use of
educational facilities.
Goal 4 Develop and operate a public library system which
provides accurate, timely, relevant and efficient
services to everyone.
Goal 5 Provide arts and cultural services which are
accessible to all San Antonio citizens.
Goal 1 Provide adequate police and fire protection and
emergency medical services.
Policy 1a: Locate police, fire and emergency medical facilities to
provide effective and efficient services.
1. Integrate new police, fire, and EMS facilities with
other community service facilities, as appropriate, provide
adequate parking, and help to establish a sense of place
for the neighborhood.
2. Police: Locate police facilities to:
• decrease response times
• increase the Patrol Availability Factor
• enhance the Community Oriented Policing effort
3. Fire: Locate fire stations to:
• provide safe, efficient and equitable fire and
emergency medical services
• provide sufficient and appropriate fire company
coverage and emergency medical services units.
Policy 1b: Develop and implement intervention and public
awareness programs that inform citizens of ways to
increase safety.
1. Conduct public safety awareness programs both
proactively and upon request.
2. Provide resources to track and monitor potential
health and safety problems, and to adequately inform
and educate the public.
17
 Policy 2c: Provide comprehensive public health services and
programs.
1. Encourage the Health Department to seek assistance
from, and coordinate with, community service groups,
agencies and local military health care systems.
2. Conduct programs and services through the Health
Department, in cooperation with a network of health
and health-related agencies, institutions and
associations, on health promotion, education,
environmental issues, assessment and prevention.

Policy 2d: Create a working group on health care-related issues

to develop health care policies for San Antonio.
Figure 14
Goal 2 Promote a comprehensive and coordinated
health care system to effectively serve the
community.
Policy 2a: Advocate accessibility of health care facilities to all
sectors of the City.
1. Promote the location of all new public health and
health care services in areas easily accessible to the
populations to be served.
2. Encourage the Health Department to evaluate
revisions in community health care policies, priorities
or systems to ensure they are meeting the needs of
the community.
1. Include consumer representation in addition to health
and other disciplines on the San Antonio Metropolitan
Health District Advisory Board (SAMHDAB).
2. Establish a strategic planning committee in the Health
Department to develop and review recommendations
periodically on:
• an inventory of existing facilities (location,
condition, and services provided);
• projections of future health care needs and the
locations in which they occur;
• manpower and expertise of the labor force
needed to meet current and projected health care
needs;
• public accessibility to various health care facilities,
to include effectiveness of the public transit
system.

Policy 2b: Support the implementation of a public transit

network that improves access to health care facilities
by providing transportation from all parts of the City
to community and regional health care facilities.

San Antonio III. COMMUNITY SERVICES 18


Figure 15
Goal 3 Develop a formalized planning relationship
among school districts, neighborhoods and the
City to enhance the efficient and effective use of
educational facilities.
Policy 3a: Promote schools as integral components of
residential neighborhoods.
1. Encourage citizens to become involved in educational
awareness programs.
Policy 3b: Target areas for revitalization where excess space in
neighborhood schools exists.
Policy 3c: Encourage school districts to upgrade schools to
contribute to neighborhood stability.
1. Establish neighborhood awareness programs that
explain the direct link between education,
neighborhood, and economic stability.
San Antonio
Policy 3d: Encourage City review and comment on the location
of new educational facilities and on the expansion of
existing facilities.
1. Coordinate with the appropriate school district to
secure future sites for educational facilities during
the platting of major residential subdivisions.
Policy 3e: Encourage cooperative, flexible design of school
facilities to ensure maximum use and potential for
adaptive reuse as a continuing neighborhood
resource.
Policy 3f: Emphasize the assets to be found in each
neighborhood and school through a coordinated
public relations campaign.
Policy 3g: Encourage strong and continuing community and
school relationships beyond the walls of facilities by
utilizing the neighborhood as an educational
resource.
Policy 3h: Publicly recognize neighborhoods which have shown
individual initiative to improve schools within their
neighborhoods.
1. Establish incentives which encourage neighborhoods
to support their schools.
Policy 3i: Encourage school districts and other entities to share
fiscal and demographic data for planning purposes.
1. Encourage the accessibility of all available financial,
demographic, and physical plant information on
individual schools and school districts through a
computerized central clearinghouse.
III. COMMUNITY SERVICES 19
 Goal 4 Develop and operate a public library system
Policy 3j: Encourage the coordination of City capital which provides accurate, timely, relevant and
improvement and functional plans with school efficient services to everyone.
district plans.
Policy 4a: Locate branch libraries where community residents
easily and willingly go. Locate branch libraries in
Policy 3k: Encourage a cooperative school sidewalk program to neighborhood centers or other locations that will be
enhance the safety, appearance, and access for attractive and convenient additions to
neighborhood residents. neighborhoods.
1. Consider recommendations of neighborhood plans
when developing school sidewalk programs.
Policy 4b: Design and operate library facilities which are
friendly, inviting, safe and easy to use.
Policy 3l: Encourage alternative schools, vocational training,
and adult literacy and learning centers. 1. Encourage public involvement in the development
and design of newly built and renovated library
facilities.
Policy 3m: Support the expansion of magnet school programs.
Policy 4c: Develop public and private partnerships to increase
awareness of and accessibility to the San Antonio
Public Library System.

Policy 4d: Improve access to library resources and information,

through the use of new technology.

Policy 4e: Enhance the San Antonio public library’s role as a

source of information about City government and City
Figure 16 services.
1. Develop the public library system as an integral
component in the storage and user -friendly access of
information on local governmental operations,
policies, and public services.

San Antonio III. COMMUNITY SERVICES 20

Goal 5 Provide arts and cultural services which are 3. Maintain new and existing artworks and landmarks in
accessible to all San Antonio citizens. the City’s public art collection and help administer the
Public Art Program.

Policy 5a: Develop public and private partnerships to provide

cultural amenities throughout the community.
1. Encourage private enterprise to support City efforts to
make the arts available and accessible to all citizens.

Policy 5b: Maintain downtown as the cultural focal point of the

City.
1. Establish a geographically defined Cultural Arts
District or Districts. Encourage special events in the
Cultural Arts District that bring citizens downtown to
celebrate the arts.

Policy 5c: Assess the effectiveness with which art, cultural and
recreational facilities serve neighborhoods and the
community and develop a long term cultural facilities
plan.
1. Provide facilities and services for art, cultural and
recreational activities to be located in neighborhood
centers.
2. Inventory existing cultural facilities including use,
rental and fee policies.
3. Integrate the cultural facilities planning process into
the ongoing planning processes of the City.

Policy 5d: Continue implementation and expansion of the public

FIGURE 17
art program.
1. Promote the City’s cultural and historical background
through the arts. “Infrastructure should be as beautiful as it is functional…”
—STEVE TILLOTSON
2. Consider aesthetics as an integral part of capital
improvement projects.

San Antonio III. COMMUNITY SERVICES 21

D. NEIGHBORHOODS
The creation, preservation and enhancement of
neighborhoods is essential to the success of this plan.
Neighborhoods define and characterize the unique
cultural, historical and natural qualities of San Antonio.
Intrinsic to the success of neighborhoods and to a stable
and attractive quality of life for all citizens is an emphasis
on home ownership and housing availability for all ethnic
and economic segments of the community.
Strong, viable neighborhoods create a sense of place
within the community. Basic elements such as schools,
churches, parks, open space, offices, stores, police and
fire stations, health care, cultural and human services
facilities, libraries and all types of housing, if balanced
properly, will contribute to safe, dynamic and sustainable
neighborhoods that form our City.
Figure 18
San Antonio
Neighborhood Goals
Goal 1 Preserve, protect and enhance the integrity,
economic viability, and livability of San
Antonio's neighborhoods.
Goal 2 Strengthen the use of the Neighborhood
Planning Process and neighborhood plans.
Goal 3 Provide safe, attractive, well-maintained
neighborhoods for all adults and children.
Goal 4 Promote the provision of sound and affordable
housing to all San Antonians.
Goal 5 Encourage development of the downtown area
as a complete neighborhood to enhance its
image to both visitors and residents.
“There are no planetary problems and
solutions–only local problems and solutions.”
—Wendell Berry
III. NEIGHBORHOODS 22
Goal 1 Preserve, protect and enhance the integrity,
economic viability, and livability of San
Antonio's neighborhoods.

Policy 1a: Rezone vacant or underutilized property in and

around neighborhoods to encourage redevelopment
that is compatible in use and intensity with the
existing neighborhood.
1. Encourage private property owners to use deed
restrictions to further restrict commercial uses to
ensure compatibility with adjacent residential uses.

Policy 1b: Sponsor a study of neighborhoods to determine the

causes of neighborhood decline and explore possible
solutions.

Policy 1c: Encourage businesses and developers to work with Figure 19

neighborhood residents in the location and design of
new development to enhance or complement the
character or size of existing neighborhoods.
Policy 1d: Promote conversion or adaptive reuse of vacant or
underutilized commercial buildings to provide
affordable infill housing.
1. Provide incentives to the private sector to promote
reuse of vacant or underutilized commercial buildings
for affordable housing through such mechanisms as:
• workshops on public-private resources and
partnerships
• tax abatement or tax phase-ins
• historic rehabilitation tax credits
• impact fee reductions
• zoning and platting processing
• affordable housing tax credits
Policy 1e: Plan easily accessible commercial, educational,
cultural and recreational facilities that respect the
mobility of every citizen.
Policy 1f: Minimize displacement within neighborhoods caused
by public or private sector development.
1. Create guidelines for neighborhood preservation
which would promote the rehabilitation of structures
and minimize demolition.
2. Provide information on rehabilitation opportunities and
programs to owners of underutilized property.
3. Encourage public and private developers to meet and
communicate with neighborhood representatives prior
to planning development, redevelopment or
expansion that will cause displacement of
neighborhood residents.

San Antonio III. NEIGHBORHOODS 23

 4. Amend zoning regulations to require special City
Council approval for parking facilities that displace
residences.
5. Promote increased awareness among property
owners and residents of the importance of property
maintenance to long-term housing quality.
6. Utilize the City code enforcement program to bring
substandard units into compliance with City codes
and to help minimize the need for demolition and
displacement.
7. Plan and complete new public sector projects in a
timely manner, and with adequate funding, to mitigate
displacement of residents.
Policy 1g: Encourage the establishment of neighborhood
associations.
1. Develop a citywide outreach program to encourage
residents, businesses, churches, schools and other
service providers to form neighborhood associations.
2. Provide information to neighborhood residents and
groups who want to form neighborhood associations.
Goal 2 Strengthen the use of the Neighborhood
Planning Process and neighborhood plans.
Policy 2a: Provide additional technical assistance and
incentives to encourage neighborhoods to plan.
1. Develop a training program for neighborhood
residents and groups interested in preparing
neighborhood plans.
2. Publicize the benefits and types of neighborhood
planning processes that are available.
3. Encourage the Neighborhood Resource Center to
maintain and distribute a list of volunteer experts
available to assist neighborhoods in the planning
process.
San Antonio
4. Encourage consideration of currently recognized
neighborhood plans by elected and appointed officials
and City staff as they perform their duties and
responsibilities.
5. Continue to notify residents and property owners of
land use issues affecting their area in a timely
manner. Evaluate and supplement the present
notification process through new approaches and
technologies.
6. Develop, update and make available attractive, easy
to understand, bilingual neighborhood planning
information, data and manuals.
7. Enhance the City's ability to receive and respond to
neighborhood concerns and provide neighborhood
residents and property owners the opportunity to
review land use issues and discuss the issues with
appointed and elected officials.
Policy 2b: Amend the Unified Development Code to address
neighborhood issues.
1. Establish a zoning classification such as a
Conservation District or a Planned Development
District for neighborhood specific plans.
2. Study the Unified Development Code Table of
Permitted Uses and identify those uses potentially
incompatible with residential districts and amend the
Code to create mixed use districts and neighborhood
commercial districts.
III. NEIGHBORHOODS 24
Policy 2c: Promote alternative neighborhood and sector 3. Encourage neighborhoods to seek sound planning
planning processes that will address the needs of all and guidance when developing neighborhood plans.
areas of the City. 4. Require neighborhood representatives to take into
1. Improve the existing Neighborhood Planning Process. consideration the development trends of the San
Antonio area as they form their neighborhood plans.
2. Create a Sector Planning Process.
5. Require neighborhood representatives to reflect the
3. Participate and assist in the Neighborhood goals and policies of the Master Plan of the City as
Conference Process. they form their neighborhood plans.
4. Promote an Annual Goal Setting Process for
Neighborhoods.
Policy 2e: Encourage all City departments to review and follow
5. Develop a Neighborhood Revitalization Strategy.
neighborhood plans to the extent practical.
Policy 2d: Establish a standardized format and outline for
neighborhood plans that includes information such 1. Use an interdepartmental approach to develop
as economic data, needed community facilities, and standard procedures to ensure that the goals and
street and drainage improvements. recommendations of recognized neighborhood plans
are considered.
1. Notify neighborhoods having City Council recognized 2. Notify neighborhoods of major capital improvements
plans to update their plans at least once every five projects and of zoning and subdivision plans at time
years to prevent expiration. Provide support services of formal application.
similar to initial plan preparation.
3. Consider projects identified in neighborhood plans
2. Encourage neighborhoods to develop a future land when making decisions regarding capital
use map in recognized neighborhood plans which improvements projects.
illustrates the desired physical evolution of the
neighborhood.
DE
San Antonio Enterprise Zones Goal 3 Provide safe, attractive, well-maintained
B
SB

RA
U

FRESNO
RZ

neighborhoods for all adults and children.

W

UR

RD.
WU
G
RD.

RD.
QUILL HILDEBRAND
Y
ST. CLOUD

RR

. 78
HA

F.M
RD
RD

RAM .
.

ING
PEDRO
BLANCO

WOODLAWN
CALLAGHAN

FUNSTON
ACKERMAN RD.
DR.

. RA CULEBRA N
SAN

RD LEB .35
CU I.H
RD.
0
41
OP

RD.
LO

GEMBLER
GEN MCMULLEN

COLORADO

COMMERCE

Policy 3a: Protect the character and quality of neighborhoods

ACME

HOUSTON ST.
MILITARY DR.

COMMERCE ST.
RD.
BACH RD.

by maintaining and enhancing their open spaces and

ILLE
ROV MARTIN LUTHER KING
CAST

W.
RA

Y 90
ZARZAMO

WALTERS

D HW
HACKBERRY
LOOP 410

OL
LOOP 410

U.S. HWY
90 W.

parks.
RIGSBY AVE.
DR.
CUPPLES

NEW BRAUNFELS

MALONE AVE.
Y-
W.W. WHITE

LE
VAL
HI
VALLEY
RA
Y ELL

1. Maintain all City parks and recreation facilities, and

ISO

DIVISION AVE. SOUTHCROSS BLVD

N

.
ROOSEVELT

N
CA

BLVD. HOT WELLS

PE

SOUTHCROSS
MEDINA
AVE.

BASE
S. PR
ESA

pursue cooperative arrangements with other public

ZARZAMORA

MILITARY DR.
S FLO

Y DR.
TAR
RAY ELLISO MILI
RES

N
RD.
.
RD

.
RD

I.H
Y.
NA

HUTCHINS
HW

PL.
ET
TA

. 37

and private groups for the maintenance of facilities.

O
IN

RS
ED
QU

S.
ME
R

HIL
LA

DE
SO

BR
AN
PLEASANTON

DT
RD.

R
.
LOO

RD ASHLEY
P 410

S.
35 GILLETTE BLVD.
I.H.
LL
COVEL

SA
AR

2. Amend applicable ordinances to require developers of

PE
LOOP 410
LOOP 410
0 5000 10000
Feet

subdivision plats with private common areas, to

16 S.

Figure 20

San Antonio III. NEIGHBORHOODS 25

 establish mandatory homeowners associations which
shall be responsible for the maintenance of the
common areas, or otherwise provide for same.
3. Amend applicable ordinances to require developers of
subdivision plats with private common areas to file a
proposed operations budget and plan for long term
capital repair and replacement.
4. Pursue state enabling legislation allowing subdivisions
with common areas to revise or establish restrictive
covenants for the maintenance of the common areas
by a majority vote of property owners and lien-
holders within the subdivision. Revisions could not
occur if the property or subdivision is still controlled by
the Declarant, unless the Declarant grants permission
for such a revision or if the Declarant owns more than
10% of the property affected or the recorded plat is
less than 10 years old, unless the Declarant grants
permission for such a revision.
5. Assist residents in planning for and developing
additional public open space and parks.
Policy 3b: Strengthen the enforcement of codes and regulations
affecting neighborhoods.
1. Vigorously enforce codes with the City’s revitalization
activities.
2. Adequately fund code compliance.
3. Provide adequate funding for improved brush
collection.
4. Work with neighborhoods and citizens to investigate
violations and enforce regulations such as improper
zoning, unsanitary premises, and noise.
5. Establish field offices for code compliance.
6. Encourage establishing more special event
neighborhood or sector refuse collection drop-off
sites, and encourage the county to do likewise.
7. Establish and enforce stronger "no dumping"
ordinances.
San Antonio III. NEIGHBORHOODS
8. Vigorously enforce existing local codes and State
environmental regulations for junk and salvage yards.
Implement a policy to amortize the life cycle of
nonconforming junk and salvage yards.
9. Support regulations protecting neighborhoods from
the storage and transport of hazardous materials.
Policy 3c: Consider new approaches including new ordinances
and programs to enhance the viability and
attractiveness of neighborhoods.
1. Encourage the Neighborhood Resource Center to
maintain and distribute a list of volunteer experts
available to neighborhoods to assist on special
subjects such as landscaping, legal, or traffic issues.
2. Review and strengthen the urban corridor regulations.
3. Continue to implement the tree preservation
ordinance and strengthen as needed.
4. Amend the landscape and other applicable
ordinances to include buffering provisions between
incompatible residential and nonresidential uses.
5. Support City commissions in their efforts to develop
programs which address the environmental problems
of the neighborhoods (i.e. graffiti, illegal dump sites
reduction) and promote general City wide clean-up
projects.
6. Develop a public awareness and education campaign
promoting pride in clean neighborhoods and
encouraging voluntary code compliance.
Policy 3d: Maintain and enhance public safety facilities and
services, and supplement these services with
neighborhood education and awareness programs.
1. Provide an adequate level of municipal auxiliary
services to keep up with population growth and
annexation.
26
 2. Encourage residential areas to participate in
neighborhood watch or cellular patrol programs and 3. Support after-school programs so students can
other crime prevention programs. choose from a variety of supervised and high quality
3. Provide information about crime and fire prevention programs as opposed to unsupervised time after
programs. school.
4. Encourage communication between neighborhoods
and the police officers patrolling their areas.
5. Provide specialized support for targeted high crime
areas.
6. Work with schools, churches and other institutions to
follow citywide public safety goals.

Policy 3e: Create and enhance neighborhood environments

which emphasize the physical and emotional well-
being of children.
Figure 21
1. Support essential or coordinated services within
community centers throughout the City such as:
Goal 4 Promote the provision of sound and affordable
• early childhood development
housing to all San Antonians.
• health services
• nutritional services
• day care for children of working parents Policy 4a: Preserve and revitalize housing and promote targeted
• family counseling infill housing in neighborhoods, particularly older
• family and parenting education neighborhoods located inside Loop 410.
• public safety services
1. Enforce City codes vigorously, consistent with the
City’s revitalization activities.
2. Support cooperation among:
2. Maintain existing infrastructure in good repair.
• parents
• churches 3. Promote clean up and minor repair of older housing
stock through neighborhood and organizational
• services providers
initiatives utilizing all available resources.
• businesses
• health care providers
• government officials
• child care providers
• community-based organizations
• neighborhood associations
• residents to help children attain basic life goals

San Antonio III. NEIGHBORHOODS 27

 4. Encourage efficient allocation of grant funds through
competitive evaluation of applicants using
standardized criteria.
5. Standardize criteria for evaluating housing conditions
across the City and encourage public and
governmental agencies to adopt the same
standardized criteria as a minimum.
6. Require an adequate maintenance program of all
properties owned or supported by public funds.
7. Require affordable housing providers to complement
the architectural design and character of the
neighborhood in which new housing is being
constructed.
Policy 4b: Give priority in the use of housing reinvestment
programs to the revitalization of neighborhoods with
higher proportions of low and moderate income
residents or with the worst housing conditions.
1. Encourage private lenders to become directly
involved in the City's affordable housing goals.
2. Expand the City’s housing counseling services and
encourage private, non-profit, and other groups to
expand their housing counseling services on housing
maintenance and financial management.
Policy 4c: Provide effective coordination of local, state and
federal housing programs.
1. Strengthen the City Council's role as the central
authority responsible for monitoring, evaluating, and
directing housing policy.
2. Develop a policy intended to guide residential
development, rehabilitation, and preservation for all
economic segments of the community which will be
coordinated with the Five Year Housing Consolidated
Plan.
San Antonio III. NEIGHBORHOODS
3. Provide opportunities for community participation in
the creation and implementation of housing policies,
and establish an annual review process.
4. Encourage support of a resource center for all
information on housing needs, funding resources,
alternative program strategies, and technical assistance.
5. Create and implement a performance review process
for all publicly funded housing providers, and base
funding recommendations on that review.
Policy 4d: Facilitate the provision of choice in housing
opportunities for all San Antonians, including special
needs populations.
1. Use public funds to address the housing goals for
special needs populations and encourage private
sector participation.
2. Provide opportunities for community participation
when assessing the housing needs of each special
needs population.
Policy 4e: Facilitate the provision of affordable housing by the
private sector.
1. Provide incentives for private housing providers who
furnish affordable housing designed to meet the goals
set forth in the housing policies.
2. Streamline the process of making publicly owned lots
available to the private sector.
3. Review zoning, subdivision ordinances, building
codes, and related development-control ordinances
and administrative procedures, to identify and
overcome barriers to affordable housing.
4. Adopt alternative building methods which facilitate the
building of high quality affordable housing, without
compromising safety, structural soundness or energy
efficiency.
Policy 4f: Design programs and policies that maximize the
leverage of private investment by lenders and
builders or developers.
28
 1. Make available Community Reinvestment Act (CRA) Policy 4i:
data upon request.
2. Continue to pursue partnerships which maximize
private investment.
Policy 4g: Use local public and private resources effectively to
capture available federal and state financing.
1. Consider support for organizations that, on a cost
effective basis, demonstrate implementation capacity
and the ability to provide affordable housing.
2. Maximize the use of available funds in a social
service system which develops the coalitions Policy 4j:
necessary to minister to the needs of the at-risk
population of the community.
Policy 4h: Encourage neighborhood-based housing initiatives.
1. Support the provision of sufficient resources to
neighborhood-based organizations which are
necessary for efficiently increasing the organization’s
level of production. These resources should include
education, technical assistance and skill training
. •
Figure 22
San Antonio III. NEIGHBORHOODS
Explore the full range of options to allow people to
remain in their homes throughout their lives.
1. Amend the Unified Development Code to permit
carefully controlled accessory housing in single family
residential zoning districts.
2. Encourage financial institutions, neighborhoods and
supportive services agencies through referrals to
work together to provide the types of services that
would allow people to remain in their homes.
Develop a comprehensive housing preservation
strategy to retain housing stock.
1. Develop financial incentives for the preservation and
rehabilitation of housing units, including:
• below-market rehabilitation financing for both
owner and non-owner occupied, and vacant
residential structures;
• structure relocation;
• land banking of City and privately owned vacant
lots suitable for residential use;
• adaptive reuse, or conversion of nonresidential
buildings;
• receivership of property by non-profits;
• charitable land trusts through existing qualified
non-profits.
2. Regulate demolition of housing by establishing
standards and procedures which determine if:
• rehabilitation is economically feasible;
• demolition by neglect or omission has occurred;
building and housing codes and regulations have
been violated;
• the building is eligible for designation or is
designated historic;
• health and life-safety issues are addressed.
29
 3. Provide fair and adequate enforcement measures 6. Encourage the establishment of Community
including increased fines, liens, and other penalties Development Corporations (CDCs) to help fund
for non-compliance with demolition regulations. additional housing development, redevelopment or
4. Provide administrative complaint, inspection and rehabilitation in the downtown area.
adjudication processes, including appeals and 7. Develop incentives including City-owned land, fee
procedures regarding demolition regulations. waivers, tax-exempt bond financing, historic tax
credits and low-income housing tax credits to promote
housing.
Policy 4k: Analyze all new regulations and ordinances to
evaluate their impact on the costs and the benefits for 8. Encourage the private banking community to develop
housing. a lenders consortium to provide financing of
affordable housing in downtown.
9. Encourage the San Antonio Business Development
Goal 5 Encourage development of the downtown area Foundation to review the possibility of acquiring low
income housing tax credits, and historic tax credits
as a complete neighborhood to enhance its
generated by downtown developments.
image to both visitors and residents.
10. Encourage the Department of Housing and Urban
Development (HUD) to develop new urban
Policy 5a: Encourage new development in the downtown area to
revitalization strategies which:
create a broad range of housing stock including
single occupancy hotels, low, moderate, and upper • Incorporate successful elements of other
income housing, and housing for elderly persons. programs;
• Revitalize the nation's central business districts
1. Give priority to existing buildings, particularly those and inner cities;
with vacant upper floors, for meeting housing needs. • Focus on housing creation and development.
2. Adapt zoning, construction and fire codes that
facilitate new housing in existing buildings without
compromising the basic health and safety of building
occupants.
3. Review the existing building code appeals process
with respect to life, safety issues and the City’s
liability.
4. Retain and enhance tax abatement programs for
historic buildings to encourage their reuse for
housing.
5. Broaden the existing tax phase-in policy, including
lowering dollar limits for phase-in and increasing the Figure 23
percentage of abatement, to encourage more housing
development and redevelopment of all types.

San Antonio III. NEIGHBORHOODS 30

 11. Facilitate the development of new infill multifamily 4. Assist the San Antonio Independent School District
housing in single use or mixed-use developments on (SAISD) and/or a conglomeration of area school
vacant tracts in the downtown. districts to establish an arts magnet or other magnet
high schools in the downtown area.
Policy 5b: Allocate housing dollars to downtown. 5. Encourage the development of an expanded
performing arts district.
1. Review and potentially increase the downtown
allocation of dollars from sources such as the San
Antonio Housing Trust Fund. Policy 5d: Continue to improve access to downtown by various
modes of transportation including the construction of
2. Make Community Development Block Grant (CDBG)
a multi-modal transportation hub.
funds available for downtown housing projects.
3. Encourage additional investment in downtown 1. Adopt and implement a coordinated and
housing developments, or acquisition of properties for comprehensive transportation master plan for the
future housing stock. downtown area which addresses parking, pedestrian
and vehicular circulation, delivery of goods and
4. Promote affordable housing in the downtown by
services, and transit operations.
making available City and federal funds to meet the
goals and objectives of a comprehensive downtown
housing plan.
5. Encourage the use of City and federal funding as a
part of its total financing for housing for all income
groups.

Policy 5c: Advocate downtown for major public and private

facilities such as schools, hospitals, sporting
facilities and other institutions with particular
emphasis upon educational opportunities.
Figure 24
1. Promote the development of major public and private
facilities which support the downtown neighborhood 2. Create pedestrian ways, people -mover systems, and
character and historic resources. bicycle trails to connect downtown with adjacent
2. Encourage the development of major public and neighborhoods, open spaces, retail, medical and
private facilities in the downtown area, supporting the other support facilities.
critical massing of these facilities rather than their 3. Encourage the inclusion of housing in the
dispersal. development of future multi-modal transportation
3. Provide incentives, abatements and tax phase-in hubs.
opportunities to major facilities either looking to
relocate downtown or to existing facilities with plans to
improve their downtown facilities.

San Antonio III. NEIGHBORHOODS 31

Policy 5e: Encourage retail development downtown.
1. Establish an expedited permitting and inspections
procedure for retail and other commercial finish-out
projects.
2. Encourage downtown financial institutions to promote
new retail activity through continued participation in
programs offering Small Business Administration
(SBA) participation and better-than-market-rate
interest loans.
Policy 5f: Increase the attractiveness of downtown retail by
supporting programs that increase security,
accessibility, and desirable shopping opportunities.
1. Continue to fund and increase funding to the
downtown foot and bicycle patrol.
2. Establish a public and private partnership to promote
retail development in appropriate locations downtown
such as in the Houston Street business district and in
the Historic Civic Center.
Policy 5g: Maintain downtown San Antonio as the major office
center for the region.
1. Encourage development of vacant parcels and
parcels with underutilized buildings as office space.
2. Make all reasonable efforts to retain existing public,
commercial and corporate offices. Work to
encourage the relocation of commercial and
corporate offices from both within and outside the City
to the downtown.
3. Maintain City tax phase-in incentives for property
owners to retain and attract long-term major corporate
tenants and owners to the downtown area.
4. Maintain the current level of security and maintenance
in the downtown area, and make every effort to
increase these services as the downtown office
population grows.
San Antonio III. NEIGHBORHOODS
Policy 5h: Take advantage of technological innovations to
enhance downtown development.
1. Encourage the development of a state-of-the-art
transportation system for downtown.
2. Continue to accommodate the expansion of
technological services such as cable and fiber optics
to all areas of downtown.
Policy 5i: Encourage the construction of parking facilities in the
downtown area to promote mixed-use and
commercial activity centers and to be compatible in
use, scale and material with the surrounding natural
and built environment.
1. Encourage placement of parking facilities in locations
which will support residential development downtown.
2. Discourage development of parking garages adjacent
to the River Walk, and the City's plazas and parks.
3. Focus on preserving the housing stock and integrity of
neighborhoods when selecting sites for parking
facilities.
4. Analyze downtown's existing and potential growth and
activity centers, and strategically construct parking
facilities to accommodate maximum parking
availability and efficiency.
Figure 25
32
E. NATURAL RESOURCES Natural Resources Goals

Goal 1 Preserve the unique, rare and significant

San Antonio’s wealth of natural resources have
features of San Antonio's natural environment.
contributed to the City’s cultural heritage and development
Goal 2 Integrate environmental quality protection into
patterns. The convergence of prairie, plains, and plateau
all phases of local planning and policy
landscapes, united by flowing streams of abundant, clean
implementation.
water and situated above a great underground reservoir,
Goal 3 Achieve a sustainable balance between the
has drawn people to this region from prehistoric times to
conservation, use and development of San
the present, and has shaped settlement patterns and
Antonio's natural resources.
economic development. Dedicated protection of this
unique combination of high quality natural resources is key
to maintaining the City’s future economic vitality and high
quality of life for all citizens. Goal 1 Preserve the unique, rare and significant
features of San Antonio's natural environment.

Policy 1a: Develop new and utilize existing partnership

programs between public agencies and private
citizens to monitor the City's air and water quality.
1. Watershed. Cooperate with local and state agencies
to develop or expand scientifically based watershed
monitoring and education programs that involve
citizen groups, school districts and neighborhood
associations.
2. Water. Encourage the conservation of the City’s
surface and ground water resources through public
education programs and information programs and
protective regulations.
3. Air. Cooperate with state, regional and local
agencies, industry associations and other appropriate
groups to monitor compliance with EPA's standards
for emissions and to develop control strategies.

Figure 26

San Antonio III. NATURAL RESOURCES 33

Policy 1b: Develop and implement a management plan for land
use activities which includes the best management
practices, based on scientific study, that will protect
the recharge and drainage zones of the Edwards
Aquifer from pollution.
1. Aggressively implement the water quality
recommendations included in the 1994 report, The
Edwards Aquifer: San Antonio Mandates for Water
Quality Protection and any subsequent revisions.
2. Incorporate comprehensive watershed management
considerations in revisions of land use and
development standards.
3. Support new development designs that incorporate
street, drainage and lot layouts which reduce storm
runoff, pollutant loading, and the need for landscape
irrigation.
4. Adopt urban drainage standards which reduce non
point source pollution and minimize downstream
flooding.
5. Continue to enforce, and strengthen if necessary,
requirements for underground storage tanks.
6. Identify significant recharge features and accurately
record their location onto subdivision plats using
current computer technology.
7. Protect recharge features through such measures as
acquisition, zoning restrictions, and buffering.
8. Consider impacts of transportation on the recharge
zone when revising and implementing the Major
Thoroughfare Plan.
9. Utilize vegetated buffer zones along 100 year flood
plains and significant creeks.
10. Establish standards for vegetation clearing and
maintenance.
11. Maximize open space and minimize impervious cover
through all available means.
San Antonio III. NATURAL RESOURCES
Figure 27
12. Eliminate exfiltration and overflows from the public
wastewater collection system through a planned
replacement program and a variety of flow
management activities.
13. Study the impact of septic systems on water quality,
and expand the septic tank inspection program in
cooperation with the County.
14. Study the correlation between land use and
stormwater quality and set standards in accordance
with the findings.
15. Encourage the development of Habitat Conservation
Plans for areas of the Edwards Aquifer Drainage and
Recharge Zones associated with rare, unique or
sensitive biota.
16. Seek implementation of the City's and San Antonio
Water System’s pollution regulation jurisdiction into
the extraterritorial jurisdiction.
17. Utilize mechanisms such as land banking to provide
incentives to public and private entities to mitigate
impacts at a higher ratio than the minimum required.
18. Cooperate with public and private entities to develop
education programs for homeowners, businesses and
visitors concerning water quality protection.
34
 19. Adopt local guidelines and support regional guidelines
for construction activities in the Edwards Aquifer
Drainage and Recharge Zones area.
Policy 1c: Work with elected representatives, other governing
bodies, and public interest groups to develop a
comprehensive management plan for water resources
including the development of additional sources of
clean water for the San Antonio area.
1. Continue to forge strong partnerships with regional
interests to study and evaluate water supply options
for San Antonio and the region.
2. Maximize public participation in water resources
management planning and work to implement the
recommendations of the Mayor’s Citizens Committee
on Water Planning and Policy Development.
3. Integrate the recommendations of the Open Space
Plan, The Edwards Aquifer: San Antonio Mandates
for Water Quality Water Protection, Watershed
Management Plan, Parks Plan, and other applicable
plans into a unified urban design and natural
resources plan.
4. Implement a scientifically based, comprehensive
natural resources management and development
plan which includes, but is not limited to,
consideration of:
• impact of pollutant loading due to demographic
changes;
• water rate restructuring;
• construction and development standards for
sensitive areas;
• water quality and quantity monitoring;
• inter-basin transfer and storage;
• water conservation;
• conjunctive reuse;
• impact of the tourist industry;
• impact of current and projected military and
industrial activities;
San Antonio III. NATURAL RESOURCES
• regulatory mandates;
• environmental assessment;
• jurisdictional and utility agreements;
• reuse and recycling;
• water marketing.
5. Reduce water consumption through aggressive
implementation of conservation policies and
programs.
6. Encourage an aggressive water reuse (recycling)
program.
Policy 1d: Encourage retention of the 100-year floodplains as
natural drainage ways without permanent
construction, unnecessary straightening, bank
clearing or channeling.
1. Encourage the ecological management of floodplains
and promote their use as open space, such as
greenways, parks, wildlife habitat, and pedestrian-
friendly linkage corridors.
2. Adopt strong stormwater management practices
throughout the drainage area which include site
specific measures such as:
• on-site stormwater retention and detention;
• reduction in impervious cover;
• natural bank contouring;
• floodplain preservation and buffering;
• preservation of riparian habitat;
• stormwater harvesting sites for reuse purposes.
3. Develop a system to access and utilize databases
with historical floodplain information.
4. Analyze each watershed for baseline conditions and
take appropriate actions to maintain or improve
conditions.
35

Figure 28
Policy 1f:
Policy 1e: Establish policies and regulations to minimize waste
generation through effective waste reduction, reuse,
and recycling; and through expanding demand for
recycled products.
1. Encourage public agencies and businesses to actively
recycle and purchase products made from recycled
paper, plastic, glass and other recyclable products.
2. Develop and provide cost-effective recycling
programs in existing and new neighborhoods, and
educate homeowners on how the program works.
3. Prepare a comprehensive program to manage brush,
yard waste, sludge and similar materials for the
purpose of reducing or reusing solid waste.
4. Expand City-integrated solid waste reduction
strategies such as “pre-cycling”, alternative disposal
methods, waste exchange programs and household
hazardous waste collection.
San Antonio III. NATURAL RESOURCES
Figure 29
Develop and implement a comprehensive, regional
hazardous materials handling, transportation and
remediation plan which includes enforcement
procedures and non-compliance penalties.
1. Cooperate with appropriate agencies to develop
clearly marked routes away from environmentally
sensitive areas for transport of hazardous materials,
when feasible.
2. Design and construct structural controls along
designated hazardous materials routes or in
environmentally sensitive areas to trap hazardous
materials or filter runoff.
3. Develop a spill response protocol and mitigation plan
to address accidents involving hazardous materials.
4. Support legislative efforts to establish a point of origin
tax on hazardous materials and designate funds for
mitigation and pollution prevention purposes.
5. Educate the public on the handling and transportation
of hazardous materials.
36
Policy 1g: Promote the safe storage of hazardous materials in
locations that do not endanger neighborhoods.
1. Identify and establish appropriate locations and
standards for the storage of hazardous and toxic
materials.
2. Consider during the zoning process and when issuing
building permits, the proximity of residential
neighborhoods to the storage of hazardous materials.
Policy 1h: Work with the local business community,
neighborhood groups, and appropriate state agencies
to provide mechanisms for disposal of residential
hazardous and toxic materials such as pesticides and
cleaning solutions.
1. Support and encourage use of the City of San
Antonio's Household Hazardous Waste Collection
facilities.
2. Encourage retail outlets to sell non-toxic alternatives.
3. Encourage retail outlets of hazardous materials to
provide a mechanism for their collection and disposal.
4. Establish ordinances that strengthen legal remedies
against the illegal disposal of hazardous and toxic
materials.
5. Continue implementing a National Pollution Discharge
Elimination System Storm Water Quality Program
which includes notification procedures, educational
programs, target waste, contact phone numbers,
centralized drop-off sites, and pick-up crews.
Policy 1i: Develop programs to reduce noise generation
throughout the City.
1. Improve and maintain standards for noise levels that
are appropriate to the area's land uses (residential,
commercial, industrial).
San Antonio III. NATURAL RESOURCES
2. Enhance Noise Code compliance by increasing the
number of noise monitoring units and improving the
City's ability to respond quickly to complaints.
Goal 2 Integrate environmental quality protection into
all phases of local planning and policy
implementation.
Policy 2a: Establish a strong natural resources protection policy
for San Antonio.
1. Support the preservation and improvement of the
current quality of San Antonio's air, land, and water
resources and revise current City codes, regulations
and practices to reflect this policy.
2. Cooperate with appropriate entities to enforce existing
codes, ordinances, and regulations dealing with
protection of natural resources.
3. Create guidelines for demolition and construction
which protect trees and other vegetation.
4. Maintain San Antonio’s air quality attainment status
through implementation of strategies recommended
by the City of San Antonio Air Quality Task Force, and
by working in cooperation with regional and state
officials.
Policy 2b: Assist in the development of a comprehensive,
regional natural resources plan.
1. Participate with other agencies and organizations to
develop a long-range, comprehensive, regional
natural resources conservation and integrated
planning process which encourages citizens to make
long-range conservation commitments.
2. Develop a comprehensive natural resource planning
process which encourages the retention and
preservation of natural topographic features for public
and private development.
37
 3. Inventory, rank, and organize San Antonio's land- native vegetation and use of locally native or adapted
based natural resources such as significant recharge drought tolerant species.
features, endangered species habitat, and open 2. Continue to encourage property owners,
space. neighborhood associations and school districts to
4. Develop a process to determine the impacts of work with natural resource agencies and
demographic trends on all natural resources. environmental organizations to develop and
5. Establish a feasible land banking system to address disseminate information about the natural
protection, management and scientifically based environment of their area.
mitigation for losses of recharge potential, wildlife
habitat, and other natural resources.
6. Actively pursue passage of legislation to expand and
financially support water quality monitoring and
enforcement capabilities in the region.
7. Pursue appropriate legislation to extend the City's
regulatory authority in its extraterritorial jurisdiction for
the purpose of implementing a comprehensive natural
resources plan.

Policy 2c: Improve the efficiency of the City's environmental

review functions to assist all new development
projects and redevelopment initiatives to meet
federal, state, and local environmental standards and
permit requirements.
1. Ensure that data generated and compiled by City
departments and agencies is easily accessible to
other local, regional and state agencies.
2. Revise the Unified Development Code to address the
protection of natural resources and compliance with
environmental regulations.
Figure 30

Policy 2d: Develop ordinances which preserve integrity of the

natural settings of neighborhoods, communities,
open spaces and parks, and develop clear
procedures for their enforcement.
1. Continue to implement and update, as necessary, the
landscape and tree ordinances for public and private
properties to emphasize preservation of established

San Antonio III. NATURAL RESOURCES 38


Goal 3 Achieve a sustainable balance between the
conservation, use and development of San
Antonio's natural resources.
Policy 3a: Develop programs to attract environmentally
sensitive industry to San Antonio and to encourage
local industry to adopt water conserving and minimal
impact technologies in their operations.
1. Continue to develop incentive packages including
strategies such as tax deferments, and special
services, to attract and support environmentally
sensitive industries.
2. Promote education of the community concerning
minimal impact technologies, and encourage their use
by local businesses.
3. Work with local developers, builders, environmental
organizations, chambers of commerce, industrial
associations, and environmental groups to produce
and distribute a directory of environmentally sensitive
construction products and technologies.
Policy 3d: Promote public and private partnerships to reduce
4. Provide incentives for companies to reduce water and
energy consumption, and to reuse or recycle water.
5. Provide incentives for companies that install new
equipment that maintains or improves air quality.
Policy 3b: Develop and publish an environmental handbook
with information regarding the least harmful
technologies, environmental standards, permit
requirements, evolving technologies, and provide
technical assistance to assess the impact of projects.
Policy 3c: Develop incentive programs to reduce energy and
water consumption.
1. Work in cooperation with public and private utility and
water providers to continue to encourage
San Antonio III. NATURAL RESOURCES
conservation of water and energy and other natural
resources through effective inverted rate structures
(incrementally higher per unit costs as usage
increases.)
2. Continue to support rebate programs for customers
who replace existing equipment with new equipment
that reduces energy and water consumption.
3. Cooperate with other agencies to provide incentives
for water use reduction, and to provide a public
education program promoting xeriscape landscaping
as a means of water conservation.
4. Support state-wide legislative initiatives to develop
and implement a "point-of-sale" fee system which
reflects the cost of collection, clean-up and disposal
of products.
5. Implement a plan for use of recycled water in City and
other facilities.
6. Expand programs to encourage individuals and
businesses to replace high water-using vegetation
with water saving landscapes.
natural resource consumption through aggressive
conservation, reuse, and recycling programs.
1. Continue to cooperate with citizen groups and private
industry to expand curbside recycling throughout San
Antonio.
2. Work with private industry, and appropriate public
agencies to institute and maintain aggressive
recycling programs in all City facilities which would
include giving preference to recyclable and reusable
materials when purchasing.
39
 3. Pursue a regional environmental enterprise facility 2. Develop a "Sense of Place" project to enhance
which would locate landfill operations together with understanding of the unique history, environmental
materials recovery facilities, processing plants, context, and land uses of different areas in the City.
education and research centers, and transportation 3. Institute programs to instill "common courtesy"
hubs. practices to correct environmentally negative
4. Replace fleet vehicles with cost-effective, alternative behaviors such as litter and noise pollution.
fuel and technology vehicles when practical, and
actively encourage other public and private groups to
do likewise.
5. Encourage use of other modes of travel besides the
single occupancy vehicle.
6. Establish a yard waste recycling program.
7. Work in cooperation with public and private utility
providers to encourage energy efficient design and
practices in residential and commercial buildings.
8. Establish standards for collection and use of gray
water or reclaimed (recycled) water for non-potable
uses.
9. Encourage use of individual water collection storage
facilities to collect rain water for the purpose of
irrigation and other non-potable uses.
10. Update building codes to include mandatory use of
water and energy conservation equipment.
11. Support legislation that requires return deposits on
appropriate items, restricts sale of non-recyclable,
non-compostable or toxic products, and otherwise FIGURE 31
aims at litter reduction.
12. Incorporate xeriscaping into the City’s own
landscaping.

Policy 3e: Encourage cooperation among natural resource “Man shapes himself through decisions
management agencies, other professionals and local that shape his environment.”
— Renee Dubois
school districts in developing environmental
education materials and outreach programs.
1. Educate the public on local sub-watersheds through
programs such as the "Know Your Watershed"
program.

San Antonio III. NATURAL RESOURCES 40

F. URBAN DESIGN

Urban Design determines how a City looks, “feels” and

functions. It embodies the design, planning, and
integration of utility infrastructure, transportation, historic
resources, community services, and natural resources.
Striving for good urban design can shape San Antonio into
a cohesive and attractive array of neighborhoods,
commercial centers, and public amenities.

Historical and cultural resources are essential components FIGURE 33

in defining the unique character of San Antonio. These
resources contribute to the scale, color, texture and sense
of time and place revered by San Antonians and visitors
alike. Therefore, it is appropriate to preserve and enhance
Urban Design Goals
the remaining historical and cultural resources, and to
incorporate them into future development.
Goal 1 Preserve and enhance the City's urban design.
Goal 2 Preserve and enhance the City's historic
resources.
Goal 3 Develop and maintain a diversified and balanced
citywide system of parks and open space.
Goal 4 Plan, locate and maintain infrastructure and
utilities to facilitate and maintain safe, healthy
and sustainable environments for human
activity.
Goal 5 Develop policies for various transportation
modes that will increase access to employment
centers, community services, and cultural,
recreational, educational and commercial
facilities; and decrease the reliance on single
FIGURE 32 occupancy vehicles.

San Antonio III. URBAN DESIGN 41

Goal 1 Preserve and enhance the City's urban design.
Policy 1a: Define, preserve and promote neighborhood centers
which include schools, libraries, stores, transit
centers and community service facilities in
accessible, pedestrian friendly environments.
1. Identify and designate neighborhood and urban
centers as part of an overall citywide land use plan.
2. Design and renovate public facilities with transit
access points as central features to enhance
neighborhood centers as pedestrian friendly
environments.
3. Based on a comprehensive land use plan, encourage
more intensive development in and near
neighborhood centers with less intensive
development between neighborhood centers, and
implement these changes through zoning.
4. Locate major activity facilities such as libraries and
police sub-stations in neighborhood centers to create
a sense of place.
5. Consider the integrity of neighborhood centers when
the transportation system is upgraded or built.
6. Install appropriate signage to call attention to
community activity centers.
Policy 1b: Develop urban design policies and standards which
integrate and coordinate planning for historic and
cultural resources, public facilities and services, and
private development, infrastructure, transportation,
arts and cultural resources, libraries, parks and
recreation, health and human service facilities.
1. Create and adopt urban design guidelines and
standards that will enhance the quality of life in San
Antonio, and which specifically encourage the
following:
San Antonio
• Preservation and enhancement of the City’s
important historic and cultural characteristics,
including architectural styles and historic districts,
as well as existing residential and commercial
districts, and neighborhood centers.
• Distinctive physiographic, natural, and scenic
features.
• Pedestrian safety and comfort, transit access,
street level amenities, and circulation between
neighborhood centers.
• Greater density and diversity of development
consistent with these urban design policies.
• Creation of City gateways and entry points,
• Improved design and attractiveness of the City’s
highway, street, transit and pedestrian networks,
and of its open spaces and greenbelts.
2. Encourage public art in all public and private projects.
3. Provide design standards for streetscape
improvements including appropriate landscaping,
furnishings, signage/graphics and pedestrian paths,
along with gateways, landmarks, and markers at
strategic access/transition points.
4. Adopt an urban design review process for giving
physical design direction to urban growth,
conservation and character.
5. Establish a process to involve the community in
programming and designing public spaces.
6. Develop unique and specific design standards for
areas throughout the City, including neighborhoods
and the downtown.
III. URBAN DESIGN 42
Policy 1c: Encourage patterns of urban development that
provide a full range of housing choices and promote
a sense of community, urban vitality and the efficient
provision of infrastructure.
1. Develop a comprehensive land use plan based upon
the goals and policies of this Plan, using a public
planning process.
2. Develop zoning regulations that would allow mixed-
use development (i.e., residential and commercial) to
be placed in the same building.
3. Support and promote residential development that will
include a mix of multi-family units and single family
homes in varying sizes, types and price ranges.
Figure 34
4. Encourage street patterns that promote multiple
Policy 1d: Develop criteria and procedures for infill development
pedestrian and vehicular access and do not contribute
which will enhance the character of neighborhoods.
to collector street congestion.
5. Review and revise the City’s Zoning Code and Sign 1. Involve neighborhoods in developing neighborhood-
and Landscape Ordinances to establish development specific plans that define the character and pattern of
standards consistent with this Master Plan. development for their neighborhood, and that
establish infill development guidelines.
6. Create alternative development standards, such as a
Traditional Neighborhood Development Ordinance, 2. Offer economic and infrastructure incentives to
which will enable the design and construction of encourage infill development.
neighborhoods and districts that fulfill the objectives
for urban vitality, sense of community and the efficient Policy 1e: Apply strategies which will result in all existing and
provision of infrastructure. new streetscapes being accessible, safe, and
stimulating.
1. Provide and encourage safe streetscapes and public
facilities by using strategies including the
following—
• Keep activity areas and circulation routes well
lighted.
• Permit zero setbacks for commercial and multi--
family developments.
• Provide highly visible streets, sidewalks and trails.

San Antonio III. URBAN DESIGN 43

Policy 1f: Ensure that City facilities such as libraries,
community centers, transportation centers and parks
are well utilized.
1. Encourage mixed-use zones around existing and new
City facilities to foster a greater mix of activities and
social interaction.
Policy 1g: Prepare design and construction policies and
standards for utility and transportation infrastructure,
capital improvement projects, public facilities and
development projects that reinforce neighborhood
centers and provide diverse, pedestrian-friendly
neighborhoods.
1. Encourage area neighborhood and community groups
to participate in the discussion of the design and
location of public facilities.
2. Provide for adequate security and maintenance in the
design of public projects, especially parks and open
space.
3. Set aside a minimum 1 percent of all City capital
expenditures from all capital projects for landscaping.
Figure 35
San Antonio III. URBAN DESIGN
Goal 2 Preserve and enhance the City's historic
resources.
Policy 2a: Compile and maintain a comprehensive and dynamic
historic resource inventory program which includes
federal, state, and local landmarks, properties, and
districts.
1. Initiate a continuing survey program with county
participation, to document individual historic
resources for local landmark, state archeological
landmark, and National Register designation.
2. Survey all existing designated historic districts at least
every five years in order to update the information on
individual historic resources, and make the inventory
available to the public on a timely basis.
3. Publish an inventory of historic districts and
resources, and include maps and a brief history of
each district. Include the River Walk, Acequias,
Caminos Reales, Spanish Land Grant boundaries
and Mission Trails in the historic resources inventory.
4. Require as part of the neighborhood planning
process, the identification of potential historic
resources and historic districts.
5. Include information on the benefits of historic
designation and technical support available from
governmental and non-profit organizations in the
Neighborhood Resource Kit.
Policy 2b: Actively encourage preservation and renovation as a
first priority whenever possible.
1. Reuse historic buildings rather than build new ones
when considering expansion of City facilities.
44
 2. Educate staff involved with promoting the physical
development of the City about current historic
preservation resources, funding, and tax incentive
programs.
3. Educate key staff involved with the physical
development of the City about federal, state and City
preservation laws, regulations and ordinances.
4. Review building codes, fire codes and permit approval
processes to determine if they can be modified to
facilitate the redevelopment of historic structures
without compromising safety.
5. Support state and federal legislation which would
provide for the transfer of tax abatements from
historic structure renovations, as credits to be applied
to other structure or business activities.
6. Lobby state and federal governments to institute
governmental underwriting of historic property
renovations through authorizing additional tax credits
for historic preservation projects.
7. Encourage architectural design competitions or
projects to stimulate new ideas in the renovation and
use of historic structures.
FIGURE 36
San Antonio III. URBAN DESIGN
Policy 2c: Build on San Antonio’s unique history.
1. Consider historic acequia courses as routes for
designated pedestrian and bicycle paths with
preservation or reconstruction.
2. Consider extension of the River Walk as feasible and
appropriate.
3. Cooperate with other groups to identify and designate
the historic routes of the Caminos Reales as a
statewide historical and cultural network.
4. Cooperate with other entities to identify historic
battlefields and military sites and where feasible,
integrate them into the City park system.
5. Identify the boundaries of the Spanish Land Grant
which remain as distinctive physiographic features
and streets, and establish urban design standards
which reflect the area’s historical significance, and
which enhance pedestrian and bicycle activity and
promote reinvestment opportunities.
Policy 2d: Fund and staff City preservation activities to ensure
enforcement of existing codes.
1. Increase funding for the historic preservation and
code enforcement activities as the work load
increases.
2. Provide educational programs, publications and
videos, to inform owners of the special requirements
of improving and maintaining historic resources.
3. Provide ongoing training to staff from the
Departments of Building and Inspections and Code
Compliance on the special conditions encountered in
the inspection of historic resources.
45
Policy 2e: Provide incentives for preservation of privately-
owned historic properties, promote the preservation
of City-owned historic properties, and consider the
creation of a historic preservation fund for City-
owned historic properties.
1. Provide incentives for preserving and enhancing
privately owned historic properties through—
• Creating revolving low interest loans for
maintenance and improvement of properties
eligible for historic designation.
• Offering technical assistance to owners of eligible
or designated historic properties regarding
application for grants and low interest loans.
• Creating additional tax abatements or tax phase-
ins for residential properties.
• Creating local historic rehabilitation tax credits.
• Providing information on historic property Figure 37
preservation resources.
Policy 2f: Promote partnerships between public agencies and
• Adoption of the Uniform Building Conservation
conservation and neighborhood organizations to
Code.
achieve preservation objectives.
2. Provide mechanisms to preserve and enhance City- 1. Include sessions regarding historic preservation
owned historic properties through— during the annual neighborhood conference, and
• Accepting support from organizations willing to other appropriate forums.
sponsor historic preservation upkeep of City- 2. Continue to solicit input from public agencies,
owned properties. conservation and neighborhood organizations to
• Encouraging the creation of endowment funds to identify needs and priorities for maintenance and
be used for historic, City-owned properties. renovation of historic resources.
• Creating an historic preservation fund to be used 3. Ensure that all City Departments and agencies whose
to finance ongoing historic preservation, adaptive work has an impact on historic resources, include
reuse and rehabilitation. appropriate preservation objectives in their goals or
• Consider rehabilitation of underutilized City- mission statements.
owned historic properties for community uses.
3. Create special incentives for preservation in low and
moderate income neighborhoods.
4. Minimize the need for demolition by facilitating sales
of endangered historic properties to buyers interested
in preserving and/or renovating those properties.

San Antonio III. URBAN DESIGN 46

 4. Develop a requirement that subdividers of land
provide recreational opportunities for City residents
through the dedication of park land, or fees in-lieu of
dedication.
5. Broaden the use of academic institutions and school
organizations to participate in the identification of
neighborhood needs for parks and open space.
6. Study the feasibility of increasing the numbers of
large urban parks (e.g., Brackenridge) which would
be adequately funded, operated, and patrolled.

Figure 38
Policy 3b: Plan and develop a citywide system of linear parks
and hike and bike trails which incorporate drainage
Goal 3 Develop and maintain a diversified and balanced ways and open spaces which link parks, schools,
citywide system of parks and open space. institutions, and neighborhoods.
1. Identify existing and planned drainage ways,
Policy 3a: Utilize a planning process which encourages civic
abandoned railroad rights-of-way, utility corridors and
participation in the creation of a City park, recreation
open spaces which are located near or between
and open space plan which will: schools, institutions and neighborhoods.
a) Coordinate the acquisition and development of 2. Continue to develop hike and bike trails through the
public and private parks and open spaces; City’s park system to connect neighborhoods, places
of employment, school campuses, and historical and
b) Develop master plans for existing City parks;
cultural attractions, where possible.
c) Complete the development and revitalization of 3. Work with schools, neighborhood groups, and
existing parks; institutions to ensure that hike and bike trails, and
d) Ensure that parks are fully accessible to all linear parks are designed, constructed and
maintained to meet national safety and accessibility
citizens.
standards.
1. Develop and maintain an inventory of existing and 4. Develop a compact, durable map or booklet of maps
potentially significant park and open space lands, and illustrating the system of linear parks and hike and
use the expertise of other entities in their evaluation. bike trails.
2. Encourage conservation and protection of identified
properties through leases, conservation or scenic
easements, overlay zoning districts, protective
covenants, tax abatements, or acquisition (by
purchase or donation).
3. Develop a process to amend and implement the
Open Space Plan and to designate open space lands.

San Antonio III. URBAN DESIGN 47

 5. Promote special events to encourage the use of Policy 3f: Increase partnerships to encourage the shared use of
bicycling, walking and jogging as alternative forms of public and private properties—particularly flood
transportation and recreation. plains, open space and recreational facilities located
at schools and institutions.

Figure 39

Policy 3c: Broaden park acquisition and management priorities

to include special natural feature areas and passive
recreational opportunities, while protecting Figure 40
ecosystems and limiting development in
environmentally sensitive parks and open space.
1. Promote joint use of school facilities for parks,
Policy 3d: Develop and maintain parks, open space, and recreation, and open space.
recreational opportunities in all parts of the
2. Offer appropriate incentives to individuals or
community. associations who provide or maintain public parks in
1. Develop, as appropriate, existing municipal park their neighborhoods, to continue them in public use.
acreage which is underdeveloped, and provide
adequate maintenance.
2. Acquire and develop new park and recreation facilities
in areas which are under-served.

Policy 3e: Involve citizens in the design, development, and

maintenance of parks and open spaces.
1. Continue to encourage volunteer organizations to
maintain parks an open spaces.
2. Expand communication with citizen groups to
anticipate changing needs and interests in the
provision of parks and open space.
FIGURE 41

San Antonio III. URBAN DESIGN 48

Goal 4 Plan, locate and maintain infrastructure and
utilities to facilitate and maintain safe, healthy
and sustainable environments for human
activity.

Policy 4a: Establish a master plan and a review process to

coordinate the efficient distribution of infrastructure
and utility systems under the auspices of the
Planning Commission.
1. Work with utility departments and agencies to develop
a public utilities and infrastructure master plan that will
consider long range utility needs which reflect the
City’s growth and development strategies.
Policy 4b: Use incentives to encourage development in
underutilized urban areas.
1. Consider alternatives to existing setback, right-of-way,
and other platting and zoning requirements to
encourage development.
2. Consider rezoning underutilized areas to
accommodate and promote appropriate
redevelopment, while being cognizant of the
surrounding areas’ environment.
Policy 4c: Create streetscapes which emphasize both
pedestrians and vehicles.
1. Encourage the design and use of rear alleys in
residential neighborhoods to reduce "points of
conflict" between automobile and pedestrian traffic.
2. Increase minimum standards for pedestrian
infrastructure including sidewalk width, location and
lighting. Establish an administrative variance
procedure to provide relief from sidewalk
requirements where appropriate.
Figure 42
3. During the construction of all major thoroughfares and
the reconstruction of existing major thoroughfares,
install medians unless not feasible.
4. Minimize the use of continuous turn lanes when
feasible.
5. Locate traffic control boxes, transformers, mailboxes,
telephone guy wires and other obstructions off the
sidewalk.
6. Encourage utility and telephone line locations to be in
the rear of property, underground, or otherwise give
aesthetic and economic consideration to alternative
locations.
7. Establish urban design guidelines for capital
improvements such as roads, drainage corridors and
community centers, which facilitate and
accommodate increased pedestrian use and safety.
8. Establish an attractive graphics and signage system
for all publicly owned signs, except for those
controlled by state and federal jurisdiction/ vegetation.

San Antonio III. URBAN DESIGN 49

 9. Encourage adherence to crime prevention practices
through environmental design standards for
streetscape projects.
Goal 5 Develop policies for various transportation
modes that will increase access to employment
centers, community services, and cultural,
recreational, educational and commercial
facilities; and decrease the reliance on single
occupancy vehicles.
Policy 5a: Develop a transportation plan that promotes safety
and links neighborhood destinations throughout the
City and allows residents access to regional
destinations.
1. Provide incentives which promote the use of mass
transportation systems to employment centers and
regional destinations.
2. Encourage development of High Occupancy Vehicle
lanes on freeways.
3. Study the feasibility of alternative transportation
modes (e.g., rail, subway, bicycle) which will link
suburban centers to downtown and other major
destinations.
4. Require traffic queuing analysis for proposed parking
facilities and gates to private streets to ensure that
traffic queues do not back into cross streets.
5. Consider locating an inter-modal transportation center
to serve commuters, tourists, and residents in areas
with transit dependent populations such as downtown,
neighborhood centers, and large commercial districts.
6. Provide roadway improvements that facilitate delivery
of emergency, police and fire services.
San Antonio III. URBAN DESIGN
Policy 5b: Develop a system of complementary transportation
modes which supports safe and efficient movement
of people and goods, which results in an efficient
pattern of urban development, including active and
vital neighborhoods.
1. Develop a long-term comprehensive transportation
needs assessment.
2. Provide and encourage transportation options which
emphasize convenience, safety, environmental
quality, and efficiency.
3. Develop traffic control measures such as minimizing
or sharing of driveways.
4. Evaluate and revise traffic engineering standards, as
appropriate, to provide for traffic circles, local and
collector offset street intersections, parallel and head
in parking, and bike lanes.
5. Develop criteria for requiring transportation impact
analyses of public and private projects.
6. Encourage resident and employment growth within
walking distance of the downtown area and
neighborhood centers to support an inter-modal
transportation system.
7. Establish transportation goals and strategies for the
downtown area, neighborhood centers, and large
commercial areas that consider multiple alternatives
for solutions to the region's transportation problems.
8. Identify and evaluate the environmental implications
of major public and private transportation projects.
Policy 5c: Promote a transportation system which efficiently
coordinates the distribution of people to major
destinations.
1. Encourage VIA Metropolitan Transit in conjunction
with the Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO), to
study the feasibility of light rail, commuter rail, bus,
subway, and any other alternative methods of mass
transportation.
50
 2. Encourage public transit to provide direct access from
all parts of the City to community and regional health
care facilities.
Policy 5d: Expand the overall capacity for the movement of
people by including alternative transportation modes
in the design of the City's infrastructure and utility
systems.
1. Incorporate alternative transportation modes into the
design of the existing transportation network.
2. Actively support a regional transportation system that
expands capacity by using linked transportation
networks such as light rail and bus networks, high
occupancy vehicle lanes, bicycle network, and
pedestrian-ways.
Policy 5e: Encourage the use of traffic demand management
strategies and intelligent vehicle highway systems.
1. Promote Advanced Traffic Management Systems
(ATMS) to provide real-time means for motorists to
effectively monitor traffic conditions, adjust traffic
operations quickly, and respond to incidents.
2. Continue optimizing the coordination of traffic signals
throughout the City to facilitate the flow of traffic.
3. Promote public and private sector ride-sharing,
flexible working hours, parking management
innovations, and mixed-use developments as means
of reducing the demand for peak period vehicular
trips.
4. Promote multi-jurisdictional cooperation in Intelligent
Transportation System projects, including emergency
incident coordination, parking enforcement, traffic
signal timing, and roadway detours for construction
and incident management.
San Antonio III. URBAN DESIGN
Policy 5f: Assign a priority to the maintenance of streets and
sidewalks including the feasibility of a dedicated
funding source.
1. Increase funding for street repair and for planned
preventive maintenance, working towards an average
ten year cycle.
2. Seek equitable contributions from heavy users, such
as the transit authority, for street and road repair.
3. Consider the use of alternative surface materials to
increase durability.
4. Allow private contributions and participation in the
repair or maintenance of public streets.
5. Consider performance of contractors, professional
service firms, and suppliers of materials for previously
constructed streets, in awarding future street
construction contracts.
6. Work with the County to establish design
requirements for streets and road construction so that
streets have a lifetime expectancy of at least 20
years.
Policy 5g: Provide additional parking where needed, but ensure
that it is integrated into the surrounding environment.
1. Provide incentives to encourage private construction
and ownership of structured parking facilities in those
areas with the highest need.
2. Consider providing publicly funded parking facilities in
high demand areas where privately funded and
owned facilities are not feasible.
3. Update parking code requirements to ensure that
parking facilities reflect the surrounding natural,
architectural and historic characteristics.
51
 4. Promote mixed-use off-street parking facilities Policy 5i:
whereby two or more distinguishable land uses have
a common parking area.
5. Enact reasonable maximum parking ratios.
Policy 5h: Promote the safe use of bicycles as an efficient and
environmentally sound means of recreation and
transportation by encouraging a citywide network of
lanes, trails, and storage facilities.
1. Develop and implement a comprehensive and
community based bicycle transportation plan which
serves all areas of the City.
2. Consider bicycling in the design and construction of
public streets.
3. Assess the feasibility of joint pedestrian and bicycle
usage in existing public facilities, and promote such
usage where feasible.
4. Promote partnerships among public agencies,
businesses, bicycle organizations and citizens to
improve bicycle access and facilities.
5. Include bicycle parking requirements in City
regulations for cultural and recreational facilities and
other major destinations.
6. Encourage VIA to integrate bicycling with public
transit (e.g., bicycle racks on front of VIA buses).
7. Advocate bicycle issues by applying for grants, Policy 5j:
encouraging citizen participation in promoting
bicycling opportunities, promoting bike safety and
education, and overseeing implementation of master
plan policies regarding bicycling.
8. Identify the City's bicycle lanes and trails and publish
a bicycle map for the public.
9. Establish recreational bicycle lanes, trails, and
parking where appropriate, within City facilities.
10. Continue to develop safety regulations as needed for
the safe use of bicycles.
San Antonio III. URBAN DESIGN
Develop a safe and convenient pedestrian travel
network with sidewalks, walkways and trails
integrated into the transportation system and
neighborhood centers.
1. Ensure that all new sidewalks comply with City codes,
and are designed to be functional and unobstructed,
linking neighborhoods, residential areas and
neighborhood centers together.
2. Provide incentives for developers to exceed minimum
standards for the pedestrian infrastructure.
3. Pursue all funding options (e.g., bonds, TIP, ISTEA)
for the construction of major sidewalks, walkways and
trails.
4. Encourage a cooperative sidewalk program between
schools and the neighborhood, to enhance safety,
appearance and access for area residents.
5. Promote safety on the pedestrian networks by—
• eliminating physical barriers for the movement
impaired
• maximizing visual contact between the network
and surrounding areas
• modifying zoning to promote high activity uses
adjacent to the network
• providing buffers from vehicular traffic, and
• enhancing signage for pedestrians
Encourage growth within walking distance of
downtown employment centers and within walking
distance of future high capacity transit terminals in
neighborhood centers.
1. Encourage the location of transit terminals near high
traffic centers.
2. Integrate transit authority decisions and transit facility
planning into City public works planning and design.
3. Work with the transit authority to integrate security
features in transit terminals and along high traffic
vehicular and pedestrian networks.
52
 4. Promote mixed use development in the downtown
area and neighborhood centers that ties directly into
transit facilities and reinforce the pedestrian character
of the area.
5. Include urban design as an integral part of all new “The city is a fact in nature, like a cave, a run of mackerel or an ant-
construction and improvement of transit centers, heap. But it is also a conscious work of art, and it holds within its
streets, and pathways in the City. communal framework many simpler and more personal forms of art.
Mind takes form in the city; and in turn, urban forms condition mind.”
Policy 5k: Accommodate the specific needs of disabled —Lewis Mumford
individuals in all transportation modes.
1. Bring City transportation facilities into ADA
compliance.

Policy 5l: Develop strategies and initiatives to increase

opportunities for international transportation of
people and goods to strengthen San Antonio's
position in global economic and cultural markets.
1. Support national and state legislation including the
designation of NAFTA highways, with the proposed
effect of increasing international trade.
2. Work to ensure that NAFTA highways go through San
Antonio, when feasible.
3. Encourage infrastructure development in targeted
areas in an effort to encourage international trade and
transport.
4. Pursue airport improvements and other strategies
which would serve to attract international flights to the
San Antonio International Airport, Kelly Air Force
Base and other airport facilities.
5. Explore and implement options to facilitate and
increase freight traffic into San Antonio.

San Antonio III. URBAN DESIGN 53

 IV. MASTER PLAN GLOSSARY
Activity Centers: Places (individually or collectively) such as
schools, libraries and parks where individuals and organizations
congregate for the purpose of leisure, discussing community
affairs, attending cultural and educational programs or shopping.
Adequate Funding: A level of financial support which ensures
that a public agency can meet minimum standards of the City
Code and the intent of the Master Plan goals, objectives and
policies.
Affordable Housing: A unit of housing which does not exceed in
cost 30% of the gross household income, including utilities and
maintenance, for families as defined by the United States
Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD).
At-Risk Population: Those living at or below the poverty line as
defined by the Department of Housing and Urban Development
(HUD).
Bioengineering: Using the dynamic capacities of living plant
materials, in combination with non-living materials, to stabilize
stream banks and edges against erosion.
Business Assistance Focus Center: The clearinghouse for
business assistance with the City of San Antonio Economic
Development Department, the regional Office of the U.S. Small
Business Administration, the University of Texas at San Antonio
Small Business Development Center, San Antonio Business
Development Fund, State Comptroller’s Office, and Service
Corps of Retired Executives. Provides services to businesses
looking to diversify or expand. Services include counseling and
financing.
Capital Improvements: New or expanded public improvements
that are of relatively large size, expensive and permanent. Some
common examples are streets, public libraries, water and sewer
lines and park and recreation facilities.
San Antonio
Capital Improvement Plan or Program (CIP): A plan for the
construction of capital improvements that includes their timing
and cost.
Central Business District (CBD) : (Often same as Downtown)
An area within a City which has a centralized, high concentration
of retail and service businesses, governmental offices and
facilities, financial districts, professional offices, hotels and
motels, cultural, recreational and entertainment establishments,
colleges and universities, residences, appropriate industrial
activities, and transportation facilities.
San Antonio’s Central Business District is the central area of the
City starting at the intersection of Salado and El Paso Streets;
north on Salado to its intersection with Frio Street; thence
northeast in a straight line to the intersection of IH-10 and
Caldwalder; south on IH-10 to IH-35; northeast on IH-35 to a
perpendicular point connecting with Cherry Street; south on
Cherry Street to Durango Boulevard; west on Durango to the San
Antonio River; south along the San Antonio River to Arsenal to El
Paso Street to Salado.
Community: A large, well-known district, recognized by
outsiders as one area, but which has internal neighborhoods of
some importance to residents.
Community-Based Development Corporation (CBDC): An
organization which meets all conditions of a non-profit
corporation (see Non-Profit) and the conditions of a CDC (see
Community Development Corporation).
Community Center: A building or buildings used for
recreational, social, educational and cultural activities, usually
owned and operated within a one and one-half mile radius from
the residents it serves.
IV. GLOSSARY 54
 Community Development Corporation (CDC): A Corporation:
1) established by investors or membership, which develops
housing, fosters economic growth and revitalization,
creates small businesses, including minority-owned
businesses, and supports other community development
initiatives;
2) operates within a defined neighborhood or area, including
low and moderate income areas, under-served rural
communities, and governmental-designated
redevelopment areas, such as within towns, cities,
counties, or states; and
3) the profits, dividends, tax credits and other distributions
from equity investments, or interest income received by
the CDC are devoted to activities that primarily promote
the public welfare.
Community Housing Development Organization (CHDO): An
organization which meets all conditions of a non-profit (see Non-
Profit) and:
1) does not include a public body
2) has standards of financial accountability that conform to
Attachment F of OMB circular No. A-110 (Rev.)
“Standards for Financial Management Systems”
3) has among its purposes the provision of decent housing
that is affordable to low and moderate income persons
4) maintains accountability to low income community
residents by:
a) maintaining at least one-third of its board’s
membership for residents of low income
neighborhoods and
b) providing a formal process for low income,
program beneficiaries to advise the organization
in its decisions regarding the design, siting,
development, and management of affordable
housing
5) has a demonstration capacity for carrying out activities
assisted with HOME (federal) funds
San Antonio
6) has a history of a minimum of one year, of serving the
community within which housing to be assisted with
HOME funds is to be located
Community Services: Those services which promote the public
health, safety and common welfare, including police and fire
protection, educational institutions, libraries, health care facilities,
and arts and cultural facilities.
Declarant: The person or legal entity that executes the
governing instrument covering the establishment, maintenance,
and operation of a residential subdivision, planned unit
development, condominium or townhouse regime or any similar
planned development. The term governing the administration or
operation of a property owners’ association, to property adopted
rules and regulations of the property owners’ association, or to all
lawful amendments to the covenants, bylaws, instruments, rules,
or regulations.
Degradation: Pollution of a representative sample which
unreasonably reduces the quality of such water, air, land or other
natural resource. The quality of such representative sample is
unreasonably reduced when it is rendered harmful, detrimental,
or injurious to humans, animal life, vegetation, property, the
public health, safety or welfare or impairs the usefulness or
public enjoyment of the water, air, land or other natural resource
for any lawful or reasonable purpose.
Developer: The legal owner of land who holds entitlement for the
use, improvement or construction on that land. The developer
may be an individual property owner, a partnership of individuals,
or a company or corporation.
Disadvantaged Business Enterprise: A business or other legal
entity that qualifies as both a minority, woman or minority and
woman business enterprise and a small business enterprise as
defined in City ordinance.
Downtown: See Central Business District.
IV. GLOSSARY 55
 Drainage Area: About 4,400 square miles in 13 counties:
Edwards, Real, Bandera, Kerr, Gillespie, Kendall, Blanco, as well
as parts of Kinney, Uvalde, Medina, Bexar, Comal and Hays
Counties. The drainage basins in this area funnel stormwater
runoff into streams that flow across the recharge area. Since
most aquifer recharge occurs through stream beds, this funneling
effect is an important function of the drainage area.
Drainage Zone: The area wherein surface water runoff drains
into creek beds 0-10 miles upstream of the recharge zone.
Driver Industries: Industries that create jobs by (1) exporting
goods and services outside of the City; (2) bringing people into
the City to purchase goods or services; or (3) replacing imported
goods and services.
Economic sector: a specific industry or group of inter-connected
industries.
EDF or SAEDF: San Antonio Economic Development
Foundation, Inc.
Endangered Historic Properties: Those buildings, objects,
sites, site improvements, appurtenances or structures of
historical, cultural, architectural or archaeological importance
whose existence is threatened or imperiled by circumstances that
would ultimately lead to the demolition or destruction of that
property.
Environmentally Sensitive Industry: An industry which causes
minimal disruption to ecosystems and habitats, optimizes use of
natural resources, and operates in a way to minimize adverse
environmental impacts and contribute to the sustainability of the
region.
Extraterritorial Jurisdiction (ETJ): For the City of San Antonio
which is a home-rule City with a population of over 100,000, the
ETJ is the unincorporated area that is contiguous within a five
mile radius of the City corporate boundaries.
San Antonio
Flood Plain: The channel and the relatively flat area adjoining
the channel of a natural stream or river which has been or may
be covered by floodwater. Land immediately adjoining a stream
which is inundated when the discharge exceeds the conveyance
of the normal channel.
GIS: Geographic Information Systems (GIS) are computer based
tools for capturing, integrating and presenting geographically
related data items. This data includes but are not limited to:
natural resources, population information, zoning information,
housing development, utility locations, and roadways.
Goal: an ideal future end, condition or state related to the public
health, safety or general welfare toward which planning and
planning implementation measures are directed.
Industrial Base: Those industries which make up a community’s
economy; industries creating the most impact and job creation.
Industry: A distinct group of productive or profit-making
enterprises including forestry, fishing, hunting and trapping;
mining; construction; manufacturing; transportation;
communication, electric, gas and sanitary services; retail and
wholesale trade.
Infill Development: New construction activity occurring on
vacant parcels located within an area which is predominately
developed.
Infrastructure: Facilities and services needed to sustain any
type of development- residential, commercial or industrial
activities. Includes water and sewer lines, streets, electrical
power, fire and police stations.
Intelligent vehicle highway systems: refers to a multi-level
cooperative public and private effort to develop and implement
new technologies to improve transportation efficiencies. Included
among these will be Advanced Traffic Management Systems,
e.g., rapid detection of traffic jams and Advanced Traveler
Information Systems, e.g., in-vehicle navigation information
based on current traffic jams.
IV. GLOSSARY 56
 Land Use Plan: A plan that graphically depicts existing and
future land uses and intensities. It visually discerns land use
compatibility and spatial relationships, establishes the physical
form of the community and identifies urban design opportunities.
A land use plan serves as a guide in the preparation of zoning
ordinances and zoning district maps.
Master Plan: The comprehensive plan for the physical
development of the City, as prescribed in the City Charter. The
Master Plan includes any unit or part of such plan separately
adopted and any amendment to such plan or part thereof.
Minimal Impact Technologies: Processes and products which
optimize use of natural resources and produce minimal residuals.
function as neighborhood or specialty shopping centers).
Multi-modal: Capable of accommodating a variety of
transportation modes, such as buses, automobiles, rapid transit,
rail, bicycles and pedestrians. A multi-modal transportation hub is
a facility for the transfer of passengers or goods between
different modes of transportation.
Natural Resources: Elements relating to land, water, air, plant
and animal life, and the interrelationship of those elements.
Natural resource elements include soils, geology, topography,
flood plains, vegetation, wildlife, surface and groundwater and
aquifer recharge zones.
Neighborhood: An area of a community with characteristics that
distinguish it from other community areas. It may be defined by
physical barriers such as major highways and railroads or natural
features such as rivers. It may also be distinguished by unique
architectural, historical, social or ethnic characteristics.
Neighborhood Centers: The pivotal placement and clustering of
land uses that support the life and identity of a neighborhood
including housing, parks, schools, libraries, fire stations and
shopping centers. Ideally, neighborhood centers are designed on
a human scale to encourage pedestrian access and use.
San Antonio
Neighborhood Planning Process: A procedure by which
neighborhood residents and property owners can develop
neighborhood plans suitable for recognition by the Planning
Commission and City Council.
Non-Profit: An organization that:
1) is organized under state or local law;
2) has no part of its net earnings inuring to the benefit of any
member, founder, contributor, or individual;
3) is neither controlled by, nor under the direction of,
individuals or entities seeking to derive profit or gain from
the organization; and
4) has a tax exempt ruling from the Internal Revenue Service
under 26 U.S.C. 501(c) of the Internal Revenue Code of
1986.
Objective: A specific end, condition or state that is an
intermediate step toward attaining a goal. An objective should be
achievable and when possible measurable and time specific.
Passive Recreation: Any unstructured leisure time activity
pursued for its own value (e.g. hiking and nature study.)
Policy: A specific statement that guides decision making.
Policies are statements of intent for actions to be taken in pursuit
of a given objective.
Recharge Zone: In relation to the Edwards Aquifer, it is an area
where the stratigraphic units constituting the Edwards Aquifer
crop out, and including the outcrops of other geologic formations
in proximity to the Edwards Aquifer, where caves, sinkholes,
faults, fractures, or other permeable features would create a
potential for recharge of surface waters into the Edwards Aquifer.
The recharge zone is identified as that area designated as such
on official maps located in the offices of the Texas Water
Commission and the appropriate underground water
conservation district.
IV. GLOSSARY 57
 Regional Shopping Center: Contains a wide range of retail and
service establishments, occupies 50 to 100 acres of land, has at
least one or more anchor stores, and contains over 400,000
square feet of leaseable space. It usually has direct freeway
access and draws clientele as much as a 45-minute drive away.
San Antonio Business Development Fund(SABDF): is a
lending fund created by a consortium of local banks and the City
to support small, minority- owned businesses in San Antonio.
The SABDF is authorized to and may provide:
• Investments in equity and debt financing to assist the
development and financing of businesses, with emphasis
on small, minority- and women- owned businesses and
the creation and retention of jobs, with focused
consideration on low and moderate income residents
(collectively “Portfolio Companies”) and
• The planned development of business relationships
between the Portfolio Companies and the SABDF
investors.
SBA - Small Business Administration
Sector Plan: A comprehensive plan for a defined geographic
area of the City that is larger than a neighborhood.
Sense of Place: The characteristics of a location that make it
readily recognizable as being unique and different from its
surroundings. A feeling of belonging to or being identified with a
particular place.
Special Needs Population: For the purpose of providing
affordable housing, this term refers to the physically and mentally
disabled, the elderly and the homeless.
Special Purpose Districts: A district created by act or vote for a
specific purpose with the power to levy taxes.
San Antonio
Specific Plan: A specific plan is a zoning classification which
allows for the creation of a custom land use plan and
development criteria for a given geographic area. A specific plan
may detail a) the location and density of land uses; b) the list of
permitted and conditionally permitted uses; c) development
standards such as building setbacks, building heights, lot
coverage, and parking requirements; d) public infrastructure such
as a circulation system, street improvements, street lights and
drainage systems; e) architectural guidelines including
architectural styles, themes and building materials and f)
landscape guidelines such as types of trees and planting
materials for public parkways and private front yard setbacks.
Streetscape: A design term referring to all the elements that
constitute the physical makeup of a street and that, as a group,
define its character, including building frontage, street paving,
street furniture, landscaping, awnings and marquees, signs, and
lighting.
Strip Center: Commercial or retail development, usually one
store deep, that fronts on a major street.
Traditional Neighborhood Development Ordinance. An
alternative style of developing neighborhoods which includes a
mixture of land uses, reduced building setbacks, and often,
narrower roadways in combination with broader sidewalks and
increased densities. Traditional Neighborhood Development
Ordinances typically have the following components:
Urban Code. Defines the types of buildings which may
be built and specifies requirements for height, area,
build-to lines, minimum frontage and maximum lot
coverage. There should be an emphasis on increasing
relative density and decreasing the area of land
required for automobiles.
Zoning Plan. Specifies locations and which types of
buildings may be built, and outlines procedures for
introducing non-coded building types and altering
adopted patterns to meet changing patterns of use.
IV. GLOSSARY 58
 There should be an emphasis on allowing compatible
uses rather than on completely separating uses.
Architectural Code. Specifies and defines allowable
configuration and scale of buildings. The Architectural
Code would include any design criteria needed to
protect and preserve historic buildings and for
historically appropriate infill construction.
Landscape Code. Categorizes the species of trees
and shrubs which may be planted on public tracts of
land, including parks and right-of-ways, as well as
encouraging private front yard planting compatible with
the specified planting categories.
Vehicular/Transportation Plan. Identifies street types
and transportation modes, and defines design criteria
for all street elements such as signage, bus stops,
lighting, etc.
Administrative Plan. Establish administrative
procedures to implement the Plan, including a single
review authority which will centralize and expedite the
review process, while ensuring public review and
comment.
Traffic Demand Management Strategies: A set of programs
aimed at reducing the volume of traffic and the distance of a trip
by influencing the manner in which people travel to work.
Examples of traffic demand strategies include carpooling,
congestion pricing, and providing a financial subsidy for transit
riders.
Underutilized Property: Property with land or buildings that are
at least 50 percent vacant or that are abandoned, dilapidated, or
other wise impaired by physical deficiencies.
Underutilized Urban Area: An area suitable for development or
redevelopment uses that will encourage residential stability and
economic vitality.
UNIFORCE: A regional, joint venture organization of businesses
and public and private educational institutions which identifies the
needs of the job market and promotes training and internship
programs.
San Antonio
Urban Centers: Characterized by mixed or concentrated
commercial, public and residential uses at a regional scale which
capture the highest practical proportion of projected regional
population while supporting the development of an efficient and
effective high capacity transit system.
Urban Design: A process to creatively shape the City’s physical
form, image or identity. An integral part of the process of City and
regional planning. It is primarily and essentially three dimensional
design but must also deal with the non-visual aspects of
environment such as noise, smell, or feelings of danger and
safety, which contribute significantly to the character of an area.
Urban Design includes a concern for the relationship of new
development to existing city form as much as to the social,
political and economic demands and resources available. Urban
Design incorporates broad community and professional
involvement and has strong concern for what should be done in
response to a given set of needs at a scale and level of
complexity ranging from streetscapes; to individual buildings; to
neighborhoods; to the form of the whole city.
UTSA-MBDC - University of Texas at San Antonio Minority
Business Development Center. Provides business consulting
services to existing and prospective minority-owned businesses.
Services are provided on a cost share basis to businesses
located in Bexar, Comal, Wilson and Guadalupe counties.
Businesses must be at least 51 percent minority owned to be
eligible for services. The program is a partnership between UTSA
and the U. S. Department of Commerce Minority Business
Development Agency.
UTSA-SBDC: University of Texas at San Antonio Small Business
Development Center. Provides management and technical
assistance to small businesses through counseling and classes.
The program is a partnership between UTSA and the
U. S. Small Business Administration.
IV. GLOSSARY 59
 Xeriscape: The practice of conserving water and energy through
creative landscaping using good landscape design, limiting lawn
areas, irrigating efficiently, improving soils, using mulches,
choosing low water use plants and employs other good
maintenance practices.

San Antonio IV. GLOSSARY 60

 IV. INDEX PAGE
Ad Hoc Master Plan Advisory 3, 5
ADA 53
air quality 37, 39
Air Quality Task Force 37
airport 53
Alamo Workforce Development Council 15-16
alternative building methods 28
alternative disposal methods 36
alternative surface material 51
annexation 9, 27
arts 17, 21
awareness programs 17, 19
bike and hike trails 47
bike patrol 32
brush collection 26, 36
buffering provisions 27
building codes 31, 40
building permits 37
Business Assistance Focus Center 14
business development 13
business incubator 13
business retention and expansion 13-15
businesses, minority and women-owned 13
Capital Improvements 7-8, 20-21, 25
charter 2
children 27
city limits 9
City Manager 4
City Public Service 9
clean up programs 26
code compliance 26
code enforcement 24, 45
community centers 44
Community Development Block Grant CDBG 31
Community Development Corporations CDC 30

San Antonio V. INDEX 61

 INDEX PAGE
Community Planning 1
Community Reinvestment Act CRA 29
Community Services 17
Community Services Goals 17
Comprehensive City Master Plan 1951 2
conversation 33, 39
continuous turning lanes 49
coordination 14, 18
corridors 47
crime prevention 27, 32, 50
Cultural Arts District 21
cultural facilities plan 21
cultural services 17, 21
data, bases 35
data, central data base 8
data, GIS 7
deed restriction 23
demolition 24, 29-30, 46
development control ordinance 28
development process 12
development, infill 8
disadvantaged business enterprises 13, 24
displacement 24
downtown 21, 22
downtown incentives 30-31
downtown office center 32
downtown parking 31-32
downtown retail 32
downtown transportation 31-32
drainage 34
dumping 26, 37
economic base 12
Economic Development 10, 14
Economic Development Foundation 10, 12
Economic Development Goals 10

San Antonio V. INDEX 62

 INDEX PAGE
economic development incentives 7, 13
Economic Development Programs 15
economic diversity 10
economic sectors 12
educational facilities 17, 19
Edwards Aquifer 34-35
energy conservation 7, 39, 40
enterprise zones 15
entrepreneurship 10, 13
environmental handbook 39
environmental quality 33
environmental review 38
environmental education 40
Environmental Protection Agency EPA 33
extraterritorial jurisdiction ETJ 9, 38
Federal Enterprise 15
federal planning grants 14
fire, codes 17, 30, 45
flood plain, 100 year 34-35
Free Trade Alliance 10, 12
Glossary 2
goals 1-2
governmental consolidation 9
Greater Kelly Development Corporation 10
growth management 6, 8
Growth Management Goals 6
Habitat Conservation Plans 34, 38
hazardous materials 26, 36-37
health care system 17-19
health care, industry 11
Health District Advisory Board SAMHDAB 18
High Occupancy Vehicle 50
historic acequia 45
historic preservation 45-47

San Antonio V. INDEX 63

 INDEX PAGE
historic preservation incentives 30, 45-47
historic resources 44
historic routes 45
homeowners associations 28
Household Hazardous Waste Collection 37
housing 24,27,29-30,32
Housing and Urban Development HUD 30
housing counseling services 28
housing incentives 23, 29
housing investment programs 28
housing, accessory 29
housing, affordable 22-23, 27-28, 30-31
housing, comprehensive downtown plan 31
housing, downtown 30-31
Housing Five Year Consolidated Plan 28
housing, infill 23, 27, 31, 43,
housing, preservation strategy 29
impervious cover 35
Implementation Program 4
incentives 8,23,31,39,46,48
Index 2, 61
industrial base 11, 15
industrial districts 9
industries, health care 11
industries, local 11
industries, target 12, 15
industries, visitors 12
infrastructure 8, 11, 13, 15, 27,44
introduction 1
labor force 10
land banking 34, 38
land use management 3, 7
land use map 25
land use plan 43
landfill 40, 43

San Antonio V. INDEX 64

 INDEX PAGE
landscaping, ordinance 26, 38-39, 43-44
library 42, 44
literacy, adult 20
Major Thoroughfare Plan 34
Major Thoroughfare medians 50
manufacturing, light 11
Master Plan 2, 8
Master Plan Goals and Objectives 1993 3
Master Plan Policies 1997 3
Master Plan Policies Advisory Committee 3, 4
Master Plan, 1933 2
Mayor’s Citizens Committee on Water 35
medical services, emergency 17
Metropolitan Planning Organization MPO 50
military installations 12
mix use development 32, 43-44, 53
municipal services 9, 27
natural resource 33, 38
Natural Resources Goals 33
natural resources management 37, 38, 40
neighborhood associations 7-8, 25, 38
neighborhood centers 20-21, 42
neighborhood conference 46
Neighborhood Goals 22
neighborhood plan 22, 24
neighborhood planning 8, 24
Neighborhood Planning Conference 25
Neighborhood Planning Process 24-25, 44
Neighborhood plans 24-25
neighborhood programs 24, 26
neighborhood resource 19
Neighborhood Resource Center 24, 26
Neighborhood Resource Kit 23, 44
Neighborhood Revitalization Strategy 25
neighborhoods 17, 19, 22-23, 25

San Antonio V. INDEX 65

 INDEX PAGE
neighborhoods, older 27
new ordinances 13
noise 37, 40
non-conforming 3
non-toxic alternatives 37
notification 24
open space 25-26, 44, 47-48
Opens Space Plan 35, 47
ordinances 13, 26, 38
parking 24, 51
parks 25-26, 44, 47-48
parks master plan 47
Parks Plan 35
parks, linear 47
partnership programs 12, 33
partnerships 21, 29, 48
pedestrians 31
people mover systems 31
performance review 28
permitting process 12, 45
planning 2
Planning Commission 3-5, 7, 48
planning process 1, 8
police 17, 32
policies 2
pollution prevention 36-37, 40
population, at risk 29
population, special 28, 53
preservation 44
preservation law 45
public art 21, 42
public health services 18
public library 17, 20
public safety, facilities 26-27
public transit 18-19

San Antonio V. INDEX 66

 INDEX PAGE
recharge zone 34-35, 38
recreation 47-48
recreational facilities 25
recycling 36, 39-40
redevelopment 8
rehabilitation 23
restrictive covenants 26
review process 49
rezoning 22, 49
salvage yards 26
San Antonio Business Development Fund 14, 30
San Antonio Coordinating Council for Economic Dev. 10-11, 13, 15
San Antonio Enterprise Zone Program 15
San Antonio Housing Trust Fund 30
San Antonio Independent School District 31
San Antonio Mandates for Water Quality 34-35
San Antonio Water Systems 9
school districts 17, 19-20, 38
schools, alternative 20
schools, magnet 20, 31
sector development 23
sector planning 25
septic systems 34
sidewalks 20, 43, 48-52
sign ordinance 43
signage 50
Small Business 13-14
Small Business Administration SBA 32
Small Business Development Center 12
statutory authority 9
storm water management 34-35
Strategic Initiatives for Economic Dev. 10-12
Strategic Planning Committee 18
streets 51-52
streetscape 43, 48

San Antonio V. INDEX 67

 INDEX PAGE
subdivision 2, 25
subdivision plats 25-26
target areas 7-8, 10, 13-15, 19
target industries 12, 15
tax incentives 30-31, 45
Traditional Neighborhood Development Ord. 43
traffic control measures 50-51
training programs 12, 16, 45
transit 42, 50-51
transportation 13, 42, 50-51, 52
transportation impact analyses 50
transportation, alternative modes 40, 50-51
transportation, comprehensive plan 31
transportation, inter-modal center 50-51
transportation, modes 31, 40, 41, 50
tree ordinance 26, 38
underground storage tanks 34
underground water supply 2
Unified Development Code 1, 7-8, 24, 29, 38
UNIFORCE 16
Uniform Building Conservation Code 46
University of Texas at San Antonio UTSA 12
urban corridors 26
Urban Design Goals 41
urban design guidelines 49
urban renewal 2-3
utilities 8, 49
utilities, extraterritorial jurisdiction ETJ 9
utility extension policies 9
Vision Statement 1, 5
visitor industry 12
walking, jogging 48
waste water 34
water conservation 39
water management 34-35, 39

San Antonio V. INDEX 68

 INDEX PAGE
water resources 2
water, gray 40
Watershed Management Plan 35
xeriscaping 40
zero setbacks 43
zoning, process 8, 25, 30, 37, 43
zoning classifications 24
zoning ordinances 2
zoning regulations 24

San Antonio V. INDEX 69


VI. LIST OF FIGURES
Cover: “San Antonio Images” (City Architect’s Office, City
of San Antonio)
Figure 1. “Aerial” (Ricardo Soliz, Department of Planning,
City of San Antonio)
Figure 2. “View to Downtown ( Ricardo Soliz, San Antonio
Conservation Society, Fisher)
Figure 3. “Growth through Annexation” (John Berlanga,
Department of Planning, City of San Antonio)
Figure 4. “Housing Development” (Ricardo Soliz,
Department of Planning, City of San Antonio )
Figure 5. “San Antonio River Authority, Flood Control
Tunnel Inlet at Josephine Street (William A. Hensley, City
Architect’s City of San Antonio)
Figure 6. “River Center Mall Lagoon” (William A.
Hensley, City Architect’s Office, City of San Antonio)
Figure 7. “ Flight Line” ( Kelly Air Force Base Public
Relations Department)
Figure 8. “Santa Rosa Hospital” ( Parks and Recreation
Department, City of San Antonio)
Figure 9. “Trans Guide Message at IH 35” (William A.
Hensley, City Architect’s Department, City of San Antonio)
Figure 10. “La Villita during the Starving Artist Show”
(William A. Hensley, City Architect’s Office, City of San Antonio)
Figure 11. “San Antonio Air Logistics Center: Kelly
Air Force Base” ( Ricardo Soliz, Department of Planning, City
of San Antonio)
Figure 12. “University of Texas -Downtown Campus”
(William A. Hensley, Architects Office, City of San Antonio)
Figure 13. “Great Northwest Branch Library” ( Hestor +
Hardaway)
Figure 14. “Bike Patrol, San Antonio Police” (William A.
Hensley, City Architect’s Office, City of San Antonio)
Figure 15. “Health Care” ( City of San Antonio Health
Department)
San Antonio VI.
Figure 16. “Computer Lab” (William A. Hensley, City
Architect’s Office, City of San Antonio)
Figure 17. “Houston Street” (Bill Telford, Department of
Planning)
Figure 18. “Neighborhood with Views to Downtown”
(William A. Hensley, City Architect’s Office, City of San Antonio)
Figure 19. “Robert E. Lee Hotel” (Bill Telford, Department
of Planning, City of San Antonio)
Figure 20. “San Antonio Enterprise Zones” ( John
Berlanga, Department of Planning, City of San Antonio)
Figure 21. “Hemisphere Park Playscape” (William A.
Hensley, City Architect’s Office, City of San Antonio)
Figure 22. “Parade of Homes” (Ricardo Soliz, Department
of Planning, City of San Antonio)
Figure 23. “Urban Housing Renovation: The Exchange
Building” (William A. Hensley, City Architect’s Office, City of
San Antonio)
Figure 24. “Conceptual Intermodal Station” (William A.
Hensley, City Architect’s Office, City of San Antonio)
Figure 25. “Central Library” (William A. Hensley, City
Architect’s Office, City of San Antonio )
Figure 26. “Salado Creek” ( Susan Rust, Stewardship
Services Environmental Consultants)
Figure 27. “100 Year Flood Plain and Edwards
Aquifer” ( John Berlanga, Department of Planning, City of San
Antonio)
Figure 28. “Concrete Channel” ( Susan Rust, Stewardship
Services Environmental Consultants )
Figure 29. “Natural Drainage Channel: Salado Creek”
(Ricardo Soliz, Department of Planning, City of San Antonio)
Figure 30. “Hiking Trail” (Susan Rust, Stewardship
Services Environmental Consultants)
Figure 31. “Water Testing” (Ricardo Soliz, Department of
Planning, City of San Antonio)
Figure 32. “Trevino Courtyard” (William A. Hensley, City
Architect’s Office, City of San Antonio )
LIST OF FIGURES 70
 Figure 33. “HEB Headquarters” ( Al Rendon, San Antonio
Convention and Visitors Bureau)
Figure 34. “Aerial, View of Southtown Area“ (Ricardo
Soliz, Department of Planning, City of San Antonio)
Figure 35. “The Alamo” (William A. Hensley, City’s
Architect’s Office, City of San Antonio )
Figure 36. “Majestic Theater” (William A. Hensley, City
Architect’s Office, City of San Antonio )
Figure 37. “Alameda Theater” (Bill Telford, Department of
Planning, City of San Antonio)
Figure 38. “Woodlawn Lake” ( Ricardo Soliz, Department
of Planning, City of San Antonio)
Figure 39. “ Biking on the River” (William A. Hensley,
City Architect’s Office, City of San Antonio)
Figure 40. “Houston Streetscape” (William A. Hensley,
City Architect’s Office, City of San Antonio)
Figure 41. “Maintaining a Park” (Susan Rust, Stewardship
Services Environmental Consultants )
Figure 42. “Landscaped Street Median” (Susan Rust,
Stewardship Services Environmental Consultants)
Figure 43. “San Antonio: Center of Trade” (William A.
Hensley, City Architect’s Office, City of San Antonio)

San Antonio VI. LIST OF FIGURES 71